The Chief Executive Officer of the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet), Mr. Muhamed Salim Mohd Ali, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Firdaus Othman, Consul General of Malaysia in Ho Chi Minh City, on 4 November 2026. Mr. Hafidz Shukri Junit, Assistant Trade Commissioner with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), also joined the meeting.
During the meeting, the CEO introduced TFNet and briefed the Consul General and MATRADE representative on the Network’s mandate, programmes and member countries, including Vietnam. The participants exchanged views on agricultural developments in Vietnam and the wider region, with particular attention to tropical fruits such as durian and dragon fruit, as well as other important commodities including coconut and coffee.
Vietnam has become a major force in the tropical fruit trade. Its fruit and vegetable exports were projected to reach US$8.5 billion in 2025, supported by strong performance in durian, banana, mango, jackfruit, coconut and pomelo. The country is also working to strengthen quality and traceability, diversify export markets and meet the requirements of higher-value markets.
Agricultural trade is another important part of Malaysia–Vietnam economic relations. The two countries recorded RM12.64 billion in agricultural trade in 2025. Malaysia exported a range of food products to Vietnam, while imports from Vietnam included coffee, cocoa, tea, spices and processed food products.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to support each other on upcoming programmes and the exploration of trade opportunities. The exchange also provided an opportunity to strengthen links between TFNet, its member country Vietnam and Malaysia’s official representation in Ho Chi Minh City.
