Netherlands wants to set up agricultural partnership with Can Tho

Can Tho (VNA) – The Netherlands wishes to establish a partnership with Vietnam’s Mekong Delta city of Can Tho in agriculture as the two sides share many similarities in soil and climate conditions, as well as major agricultural products, said Dutch Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Simon van der Burg.

At a working session with representatives of the municipal People’s Committee on June 13, the Consul General said efforts made by local authorities and businesses to develop the farming sector in chains and upgrade machines and technologies have drawn the attention of many Dutch firms, including De Heus, Friesland Campina and Nova Exhibitions.

He pointed out bottlenecks in the local agricultural sector regarding logistics services and the planning of high-tech agricultural areas. Besides, investors have to face challenges relating to capital, market and partners in organisation and management, he said.  

Against the backdrop, Simon van der Burg suggested Can Tho improve legal documents, review planning schemes of agricultural production areas, raise quality and competitiveness of products and focus on personnel training and technological transfer to businesses.

The Dutch Consulate General would like to coordinate with the municipal authorities to connect local businesses and farming households with foreign partners, including those from the Netherlands, he said.

Besides, the Netherlands will send experts in post-harvest technologies to Can Tho, helping the locality reduce post-harvest losses, while assisting the city in importing state-of-the-art machines and equipment for agricultural product processing, preservation and packaging, according to the diplomat.

He urged Can Tho to form a legal network friendly with businesses, improve the local infrastructure system and the quality of human resources and intensify promotion activities in order to lure enterprises that target sustainable development, social responsibility and environmentally friendly operation.

Instead of devising planning schemes for short terms of five or ten years, Can Tho should set forth long-term and specific goals, the Consul General suggested.

Speaking at the working session, Nguyen Thi Kieu, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said Can Tho has regarded high-tech as a key for the local agricultural sector amidst international integration.

She briefed the Dutch diplomat on high-tech application in the city over the past time, which, the official said, has brought about positive outcomes.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Truong Quang Hoai Nam expressed his belief in cooperation prospects between the two sides, pledging to offer the most preferential policies, and an open, favourable investment environment to Dutch businesses.-VNA