SPRINGDALE, Ark. - A group of Vietnamese business people and government officials visited Tyson Foods headquarters on March 31 as both parties look to expand international trade and development between the Southeast Asian country and Arkansas.  The Vietnam officials and executives met with several businesses in the Little Rock area over their three-day visit, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The delegation looked at many sectors of the food industry including agriculture, building materials, and logistics.

Tyson did not release specifics on the meeting, but its spokesman says the company is encouraged by the potential for future talks with Vietnam’s trade officials.

“We supply products to customers in more than 130 countries, so we occasionally meet with dignitaries, leaders and business people from other nations,” Tyson spokesman Worth Sparkman wrote in an email to MEAT+POULTRY. “Of course topics vary from meeting to meeting, but generally our discussions revolve around trade and agriculture. We’re always pleased to learn more about global needs and consider ways we can help supply the growing demand for protein in other countries.”

Tran Van Vinh, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Dong Nai Province, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that pursing additional ties to Tyson Foods makes sense.

US exports of chicken to Vietnam totaled 55.6 million metric tons in 2014, according to the North American Meat Institute’s Meat & Poultry Facts.