Olam Vietnam supports Vietnamese government in COVID-19 fight

The current fourth wave of COVID-19 is posing a serious threat to Vietnam's socioeconomic development, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City and other southern localities. Vaccinations are currently viewed as the key to resolving this major problem.

Recognising their corporate social responsibilities (CSR), many organisations and businesses have responded to the prime minister's call in July with donations to the Vietnam National COVID-19 Vaccine Fund. As usual, the food and agriculture sector has stepped up.

A friend of Vietnamese farmers

A representative from Olam Vietnam, in a recent interview with VIR, said that working with the government in the fight against COVID-19 means ensuring people's well-being while also facilitating the country's economic rebound in the long run.

On the same note, Olam Vietnam has just donated VND5.5 billion ($239,130) to the vaccine fund, once again demonstrating the company’s strong commitment to supporting the community while cementing its long-standing footprint in the country.

Olam Vietnam is one of the largest cashew, pepper and coffee exporters in Vietnam

As a member of the global agri-food conglomerate Olam International, Olam Vietnam plays a crucial role in the country’s agricultural growth. The company has 23 operating locations that employ 6,500 people from across Central and South Vietnam. Over the past 24 years, it has connected a network of two million Vietnamese farmers with the global market and has become one of the largest exporters of cashews, pepper, green coffee, and instant coffee in Vietnam, as well as a large trader of rice.

In an effort to develop an advanced comprehensive system that helps put Vietnamese farm produce on the international market, Olam Vietnam has been expanding its presence across different parts of the country. Along with the headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City, Olam has regional offices and factories in Binh Dinh, Long An, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, Dak Lak, Phu Yen, Lam Dong, Yen Bai, and Gia Lai provinces.

As a global agri-business, Olam International is taking ownership by making its goal to “Reimagine Global Agriculture and Food Systems”. As part of that mission, Olam aims to address the multiple challenges involved in meeting the food, feed, and fibre needs of a growing global population while having a positive impact on farming communities in Vietnam as it seeks to grow with the country.

Immediate support

During the current outbreak, southern localities have been hit hard by the serious impacts of the pandemic. Olam Vietnam has responded rapidly by donating VND1.5 billion ($65,220) to Dong Nai province – one of Vietnam’s largest industrial hubs.

The Central Highlands province of Gia Lai and Ho Chi Minh City have also received VND1 billion ($43,480) each for vaccination and pandemic prevention efforts.

The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City received VND1 billion from Olam Vietnam

Olam Vietnam has also donated VND750 million ($32,610) to Long An province and VND250 million ($10,870) in cash with 2,000 COVID-19 quick test kits worth VND270 million ($11,740) to Phu Yen province. Binh Dinh and Dak Nong have received donations of VND250 million ($10,870) and VND500 million ($21,740), respectively.

Besides, Olam’s employees across the country also fundraised VND300 million ($13,040) to donate buying medical equipment and supplies to COVID-19 hospitals via the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ho Chi Minh City.

Particularly, VND5.5 billion was raised by Olam Vietnam in the first two weeks of July 2021.

“After 24 years of building our footprint in the Vietnamese market, we have established an extensive presence across the country and become one of the largest exporters of cashew, pepper, and instant coffee. Through this donation, Olam Vietnam wants to show its sincere gratitude to the Vietnamese government, municipal authorities, and medical workers for their leadership and efforts to ensure people’s health and safety in Vietnam. This has helped us guarantee the highest safety standards for all our 6,500 employees across Vietnam,” said Amit Verma, country head of Olam Vietnam.

Moreover, the donation to the Vietnam COVID-19 Vaccine Fund is another CSR milestone for the company in Vietnam.

During the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak last year, Olam Vietnam supported the local community by donating a million tonnes of rice, supplies, and masks, and offered scholarships as well as school supplies for disadvantaged students in Dong Nai and Gia Lai provinces.

The company also renovated a primary school, built water pipelines in rural areas, and constructed two roads both stretching 3km to help residents in Ia Le village (Chu Puh district, Gia Lai province) commute more conveniently.

“As a responsible corporate body, Olam Vietnam wants to show solidarity to the Vietnamese government. We consider a partnership approach with the community and stakeholders the only way of achieving sustainable long-term growth,” affirmed Verma.