Strengthening Vietnam - Cuba cooperation in the field of biotechnology

(ĐN) - The launching ceremony of the Vietnam - Cuba Agricultural Biotechnology and Natural Health Network took place solemnly in the capital city of Havana (Cuba) on October 11, marking a new development step in the cooperation in science, medicine and agriculture between the two brotherly countries. The network brings together more than 45 research institutes, universities, hospitals and businesses operating in the fields of biotechnology, medicine, agriculture and green economy.

Signing of the roadmap for establishing a joint venture between Labiofam Group (Cuba), Hoa Sen Investment Company Limited and the Green Economics Institute. Photo: Viet Hung

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Ms. Marta Ayala Ávila, Politburo member, General Director of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) of BioCubaFarma Group, emphasized: "The launch of the network demonstrates the special solidarity and friendship between the two peoples of Cuba and Vietnam. I believe that the network will develop successfully and contribute to providing high-quality medical and pharmaceutical products for the health of the people."

As the initiator of the initiative, the Green Economy Institute (Vietnam) plays a core role in coordinating and creating a strategic vision for the entire network. Ms. Duong Bich Diep, Director of the Green Economy Institute, said: “The network is a comprehensive connection space, from ideas to practice, from research to production and trade. This is a bridge to bring Cuban knowledge and biotechnology products to Vietnam and the region, and at the same time bring Vietnamese scientific intelligence to accompany the development of the Cuban people.”

Vietnamese enterprises accompany green science

As one of the founding enterprises of the network, Mr. Le Phuoc Vu, Chairman of Hoa Sen Investment Group LLC, shared: “As an enterprise participating in the establishment of the Joint Venture on Agricultural Biotechnology and Natural Health between Labiofam Group (Cuba) and Hoa Sen Investment Group LLC - Green Economy Institute (Vietnam), we highly appreciate the significance of the network. The network will create an effective bridge between enterprises, scientists and managers, helping research results to be applied more quickly to life, bringing practical value to the community”.

The Vietnam - Cuba biotechnology and natural health network was successfully connected. Photo: Viet Hung

In addition, Mr. Tran The Cuong, Deputy General Director of Ca Mau Petroleum Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, commented: Cuba possesses a strongly developed biotechnology industry, with a rich repository of documents and research achievements, especially in the fields of medicine, agriculture and biofertilizers. These results not only demonstrate Cuba's scientific height, but also open up many practical cooperation opportunities for Vietnamese partners. In the coming time, we will carefully research and evaluate to choose the most suitable and effective cooperation directions, contributing to bringing value to both sides.

Dong Nai - starting point for practical application

In the coming time, the network will carry out a number of research and product testing activities in Dong Nai province - a locality with great potential for high-tech agriculture, concentrated livestock farming areas and natural medicinal herb development.

Institutes, schools and businesses in Dong Nai are expected to participate in cooperation in research and application of biotechnology in clean agricultural production, contributing to promoting green economy and sustainable development of the locality.

Mr. To Hai Dang, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tan Mai Group, said: “Tan Mai has a great advantage in biological resources and abundant natural raw materials in Dong Nai - where the group has its headquarters and manufacturing plant. When combined with Labiofam's research and development capacity for biological and pharmaceutical products, we believe we can form a closed value chain from raw materials to research, production and practical application. This is a direction that is consistent with the green economic development strategy and high-tech industry that Dong Nai is pursuing.”

Mr. Dang also emphasized: Participating in the network not only helps businesses access Cuba's advanced biotechnology, but also opens up opportunities to build research and experimental production centers right in Dong Nai, contributing to making the locality a destination for scientific and technological cooperation in the Southern region.

The common scientific house of Vietnam - Cuba friendship

During the working visit to Cuba, the Vietnamese delegation also had working sessions with First Deputy Prime Minister Jorge Luis Tapia Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, Minister of Agriculture Ydael Jesús Pérez Brito and leaders of BioCubaFarma Group.
The parties agreed to create favorable conditions in terms of legal framework, tax, human resource training and technology transfer, in order to soon realize research and production projects in the fields of biotechnology, medicine and green agriculture.

Mr. Tran The Cuong, Deputy General Director of Ca Mau Petroleum Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, presented gifts to the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba. Photo: Viet Hung

Not only a scientific cooperation trip, the working trip also carried the spirit of people-to-people exchange. The delegation visited and presented gifts to the Nursing Home of District 10/10 in La Habana and donated 437 tons of rice to the Cuban people.

The Vietnam-Cuba Network of Agricultural Biotechnology and Natural Health is now not only a scientific initiative, but also a new symbol of friendship and aspiration for sustainable development between the two nations. 45 members of the network are working together to connect knowledge, share technology and cultivate a green future, continuing the story of Vietnam-Cuba friendship in the language of science and humanity.

Viet Hung

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202510/tang-cuong-hop-tac-viet-nam-cuba-trong-linh-vuc-cong-nghe-bi-hoc-c7b2456/