Can Tho (VNA) – The People’s Committeeof Can Tho city had a working session with Australian Consul General in Ho ChiMinh City Julianne Cowley to discuss multifaceted cooperation prospects betweenthe two sides.

Cowley described the Mekong Delta city of CanTho as a driving economic centre of the whole region as it has richagricultural land for producing high-quality agricultural and aquatic productswith high export value.

The city is drawing much attention fromAustralian businesses and investors who want to build long-term strategicpartnership, she added.

Cowley hoped Australia and Can Tho will jointlybuild a cooperation strategy in multiple fields and prioritise sponsoringspecific programmes, focusing on agriculture, renewable energy, environmentalprotection, and climate change adaptation.

As planned, this year, the Australian Centre forInternational Agricultural Research (ACIAR) will send agricultural experts toCan Tho to study the real situation and seek feasible solutions to removingobstacles in agricultural development in Vietnam.

Focus will be placed on six areas, namelyensuring food safety; coping with climate change; improving soil quality and plantnutrition; strengthening market connection; increasing added value of forestryproducts; and developing aquaculture.

The ACIAR will support Can Tho to boost theapplication of new scientific and technological advances in developing hi-techagriculture, and attract the private business sector to create opportunitiesfor needy people in both rural and urban areas to join and benefit fromadvanced farming methods.

It also aims to improve the capacity ofresearchers, farmers, and scientists from agricultural research and trainingfacilities of Can Tho city.

Cowley hoped through the bilateral cooperationplan, Can Tho will coordinate with the ACIAR to seek new development paths foragriculture such as increasing productivity and quality of farm produce, protectingland and water resources, and ensuring food safety and hygiene.

The Australian Energy Regulatory Authority (AER)will also build a cooperation plan with Can Tho to implement clean airprojects, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and manage drainage and wastewatertreatment to increase the city’s resilience against climate change.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’sCommittee Truong Quang Hoai Nam agreed with the plans and proposals of theAustralian Consul General and pledged to improve the city’s investmentenvironment as well as creating optimal conditions for Australian businesses.

He hoped the Consulate General will help Can Thoaccess to Australian investors and projects.

The official also suggested holding periodicalmeetings with Australian partners and investors to help them learn more aboutthe potential, strength and cooperation demand of Can Tho.-VNA