Operating in the financial sector, accompanying the agricultural sector, especially pioneering smart agriculture – precision farming, bringing high economic efficiency by enhancing the export of end products based on Vietnamese agricultural products, Dang Huynh Uc My – Vice Chairman of Thanh Thanh Cong Joint Stock Company – Ho Chi Minh City (TTC AgriS, Hose: SBT), Chairman of Ben Tre Import-Export Joint Stock Company (Betrimex), known as the gold girl of the agricultural sector in Vietnam, one of the pioneering female leaders in raising the level of national smart agriculture, inspiring the spirit of female entrepreneurs in Vietnam to confidently step into the world and conquer the global market.
Pioneering to integrate and cooperate
Representing the portrait of young female leaders – pioneers in the field of digital agriculture in Vietnam, it can be seen that the “leadership mission” is always s h e d i n the b u s i n e s s m y s h o wn b y t o h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n a l l t i m e f o r h e r b u s i n e s s as w e ll< / i> a s for the accompanying team of employees. Can she further share about this vision?
When the world is facing countless unprecedented changes, “Green economy, circular economy, sustainable development” is no longer a trend but a global imperative. At TTC AgriS, with a firm commitment to sustainable agriculture development, we have identified digital transformation as the forefront of leading the modern agricultural sector, completely eliminating the backward agricultural mindset, purely traditional production, and asserting the position of TTC AgriS over the past 5 decades.
TTC AgriS also identifies the value chain as a sustainable path for agriculture, a business philosophy of Solution – Sustainable – Smart is always promoted by TTC AgriS in its pioneering journey to consolidate the position of Vietnamese Agriculture 4.0 in the international market. Successfully transforming the Smart Agriculture Economic Model integrating Production-Import-export-Trading of agricultural services, with a focus on outstanding R&D activities, TTC AgriS is proud to be one of Vietnam’s pioneering shortlist of “High-tech Solutions providers on a sustainable development platform”, participating in the global food and beverage supply chain, providing consumers with the best quality nutritional products at affordable prices, contributing to enhancing the value of the agricultural sector and ensuring global food security.
These pioneering steps have set the stage for significant leaps that have enabled TTC AgriS to expand its presence in potential markets in the global arena. The TTC AgriS brand has become a destination for leading financial institutions thanks to its proactive approach to standardizing corporate operations in compliance with international regulations and similar orientation in sustainable agricultural development in developing countries. A typical example is that in just 1 month in 2023, TTC AgriS continuously attracted foreign capital and mobilized more than USD 140 million from major international financial institutions such as IFC, SMBC, FCB Bank, and a group of large financial institutions. At the same time, new international cooperation opportunities have been opened up, supporting the mutual research and development of Agriculture 4.0 along with leading organizations (Queensland state government, Australia, Farmacist agronomy consulting company, DEG – German Government Investment Fund,…).
We can see that in the business leadership program to master international trends, she sets very high goals for enhancing international cooperation, technology exchange, and innovation research?
TTC AgriS is already a high-tech agricultural enterprise, operating in multiple countries, so we are ready to seize every opportunity to fulfill the mission of consolidating the position of Vietnamese Agriculture 4.0 in the international market. In the development strategy of the sustainable agricultural economy during the 2021-2025 period, our focus is to continue making positive progress in the exchange, cooperation, and development of smart agriculture with Australia.
Specifically, with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Queensland state government, Australia, to develop high-tech agricultural solutions using biomass materials, biofuels, as well as train high-quality human resources and promote agricultural marketing and consulting. At the same time, we also aim to expand the area of raw materials in Australia to 20,000 hectares, applying digital farming technology through the FRM (Farmer Relationship Management) management platform.
Parallel to this process, my luck is always supported by my mother, who is also my “special companion” in the endeavor to enhance sustainable smart agricultural value chains with this country.
With over 40 years of involvement in the agricultural sector and her experience, my mother is the one who helped me establish the foundation for TTC AgriS from the early days, with a common vision to affirm the position of a sustainable agricultural brand on a global scale.
Recently, at the Australia Investment Forum organized in August 2023, we also represented the multinational corporation that pioneers the circular trend in the value chain of agriculture in Vietnam, sharing and working with the Australian Trade and Investment Agency (Austrade), Foreign Investment Agency of Vietnam (FIA), Ministry of Planning and Investment. TTC AgriS affirmed the opportunities and new challenges in bilateral trade and investment between Vietnam and Australia, especially in high-tech agriculture. We are well aware of our role and responsibility to contribute value to the community through the pioneering activities of our company. TTC AgriS is committed to maintaining sustainable development and implementing the Coral project as part of the strategic cooperation agreement for sustainable agricultural development between TTC AgriS and the Queensland state government since 2022, to increase benefits for partners participating in the global commodity value chain along with TTC AgriS.
Mrs. Huynh Bich Ngoc – Chairman of TTC AgriS (left) and her daughter Dang Huynh Uc My – Vice Chairman of TTC AgriS (right): From the power of kinship to the internal strength of two generations of pioneering female leaders to innovate the modern national agriculture
Earlier, at the Australia Investment Forum held in April 2023, we also pointed out the advantages of Australia as the best destination for sustainable agricultural raw materials to diversify the global supply of TTC AgriS, corresponding to the dynamic and constantly shifting consumer market here. I see a lot of potential in the sustainable agricultural value chain as well as important trade and investment opportunities between the two countries in the coming decades, especially in the context of Vietnam facing significant impacts from climate change and the expectation of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Dang Huynh Uc My shares about the potential for comprehensive cooperation in the development of sustainable modern agriculture between Vietnam and Australia at the Australia Investment Forum – Vietnam, April 17, 2023
According to the “Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040” report by Nicholas Moore AO prepared for the Australian Government, Southeast Asia is predicted to become the fourth-largest economy in the world by 2040, with a nominal GDP of about USD 3.6 trillion in 2022 and an estimated annual growth rate of 4% until 2040. It promises very potential opportunities, especially the demand for higher value-added products and services focusing on sectors such as healthcare, education, financial technology, and premium food… As well as the opening up of investment through abundant support from free trade agreements, economic cooperation, and trade promotion to enhance trade relations.
The special high-level conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 with the participation of leaders of ASEAN countries, Australia, and the ASEAN Secretary-General, held in Melbourne in the context of dynamic cooperation between the two regions in many areas, including agricultural technology activities
Recently, TTC AgriS was honored to have the opportunity to participate in the CEO Forum – an event within the framework of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024, marking the 50th anniversary of Vietnam – Australia relations, demonstrating the efforts of the business community to take advantage of opportunities from the strong growth of ASEAN, enhancing trade and investment with the goal of harnessing growth potential for mutual support, towards ensuring long-term prosperity and security for both regions.
In addition to the attention of the Australian Government and ASEAN in the agricultural production sector through free trade agreements (FTAs), the latest of which is the RCEP, we have expressed our orientation and recommendations in the spirit of bilateral cooperation to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the field of sustainable agriculture: (1) Continue to be supported by the governments of the two countries, enhancing opportunities to connect agricultural specialized agencies between Vietnam and Australia (universities, research institutes, etc.) to exchange biotechnology, develop breeds, and scientifically manage agriculture; (2) Promote and expedite support policies, exchange human resources, particularly create favorable conditions for skilled labor, experts, doctoral students, etc., to work and study in Australia. This will be an effective method to eliminate cultural barriers as well as create a favorable environment for understanding the business practices of different countries; (3) Deepen the trade relations between Vietnam and Australia to advance bilateral agricultural trade achievements. Through our initiatives and proposals, we hope to contribute to consolidating and improving the cooperation between Vietnam and Australia to new heights, demonstrating the leading position of a national agricultural pioneer capable of leading future agricultural trends that our company is developing.
TTC AgriS management representatives, spreading the motto “TTC AgriS Ladies – Exploring potential, Achieving success” for generation 4.0 modern women aware of their value to contribute to the community and society
Equal attitude for sustainable development
In terms of internal capacity, the pioneering gender equality is also clearly demonstrated within the enterprise. Can she further share about this diversity and equal opportunity in the human resource structure at TTC AgriS?
According to a study by the Journal of Economics and Forecasting, the mindset and equal opportunities of women in business have recently been clearly demonstrated as Vietnam has achieved a relatively high proportion compared to many other countries in terms of women in top leadership positions in enterprises (34%, 2023) and the proportion of women-owned enterprises (27.4%, 2022) (according to Deloitte’s study). In industries with a large male workforce such as agriculture, the values and positions of women are even seen as important links to the labor force, contributing to the company’s growth in every period. Representing the new generation of female leaders, I am proud that TTC AgriS is a company committed to complying with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, aiming at Gender Equality and empowering women. Particularly, it achieves gender equality in the Board of Management where the proportion of women in the Board of Directors exceeds the global average of 19.7% and 17% for Vietnamese enterprises (according to Deloitte’s study).
Dang Huynh Uc My (center) with Deputy Directors in charge of International Market Development (right) and Global Supply Chain (left)
TTC AgriS’s human resources structure is increasingly heading towards rejuvenation and diversification, with high professional qualifications and competence suitable for sustainable development goals and contribution to the modern agricultural sector in the international market of the company.
Through the contributions aimed at achieving common sustainable development goals, my expectations for the next generation of leaders and especially women are sustainable vision and succession capacity. From there, we can spread the value and spirit of female entrepreneurs in Vietnam to make important contributions to the country’s agricultural growth objectives.
