Can Tho(VNA) – Authorities of the Mekong city of Can Tho and Brazil’s Maranhao stateon October 26 signed a letter of intent to set up friendship and cooperation inrice research and production and aquaculture.

The two sides will focuson transferring high-tech production to increase productivity and ensure foodsafety, while coordinating in analysing the regional demand for rice made inVietnam and Brazil, thus choosing right varieties.

The two localitieswill also share information on items subjected to plant quarantine in import-exportactivities between the two countries, and provide each other with informationof plant protection drugs and other chemicals in line with food safety standardsof each other.

Addressing the signingceremony, Carlos Brandao, Deputy Governor of Maranho state, said that Brazilpays special attention to ties with Vietnam in all fields, especiallyagricultural research, rice cultivation and aquaculture as agriculture is aspearhead sector of Brazil.

He proposed cooperatingwith Can Tho to build an international rice research institute in the state’scapital city of Sao Luis, in which the state will provide land and support 50percent of cost for the facility’s construction as well as send experts to workwith Vietnamese partners in high tech application in agriculture.

Maranhao is located inthe North East of Brazil with the area tantamount to Vietnam and a population ofseven million. Owning the second largest deepwater port of Brazil, the state isBrazil’s gateway to the world. It holds high potential of affiliation withVietnam in rice production, aquaculture, telecommunications, mining, apparel, wood,electronics and animal feed materials.

In 2016, Vietnam andBrazil enjoyed 4 billion USD in trade, with Vietnam’s exports of 1.8 billionUSD.

Vo Thanh Thong,Chairman of the People’s Committee of Can Tho lauded goodwill of Maranhao inspecifying cooperation activities to strengthen bilateral cooperation betweenthe two localities.

He pledged tocoordinate closely with the Maranhao side and the Brazilian Embassy in Hanoi inimplementing bilateral partnership.    

Thong also revealedthat Can Tho will soon send a delegation to Maranhao to seek specific measuresto foster collaboration in all fields.-VNA