CanTho (VNA) - Officials of the People’s Committee of Mekong Delta CanTho city and those from Wakayama prefecture of Japan on August 29 discussedprospects of multi-faceted cooperation between the two localities in theVietnamese city.  

Governor of Wakayama prefecture Yoshinobu Nisaka said the Japanese authoritiesand enterprises highly value Can Tho’s position as a key industrial city and alocality with a high quality and productivity of farm produce in the MekongDelta and in the country.

However,he pointed out that Can Tho has weaknesses in preserving and processingagricultural products.

Through ODA projects, Wakayama will transfer high technologies in producing,processing and distributing farm products, he said.

Training courses joined by Japanese experts will be organised for localagricultural officials and farmers, thus developing human resources for thelocality’s agricultural development and business of local farm produce, theofficial affirmed.

He added that the prefecture will propose the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam tobuild a centre for preserving and processing agricultural products with theapplication of modern technologies meeting international standards in Can Thoin the coming time.

Wakayama will encourage and create favourble conditions for Japaneseenterprises in general and those from the prefecture in particular to promote theirdirect investment in Can Tho and adjacent localities.

The application of hi-tech agricultural models and post-harvest technology willbe expanded in Can Tho, towards creating more safe agricultural products with highproductivity and efficiency.

Regarding the import of farm produce, Wakayama wants Can Tho to popularise and marketproducts processed from seedless persimmon - Japanese locality’s speciality inthe southwest region, Nisaka said, adding that his locality will import specialfruits of Can Tho.

Interms of urban management and environment protection, Nisaka said Wakayama’s environmentalmanagement agencies have set up database and smart infrastructure management inorder to address environmental incidents caused by industrialization and modernizationin the locality.

Wakayama prefecture is ready to assist Can Tho in building software for urbanplanning, preservation of water drainage works, and data management to monitorconstruction works, he said, adding that such software can be added intocurricula at faculties of natural resources and environment across Can Thouniversities.

Nisakacommitted to support Can Tho in connecting with investors and designers ofpower-saving devices and solar power-fuelled system for public lighting,tapping public-private partnership models in urban management, especiallysluice and water supply systems.

Intourism, authorities of the prefecture will ask tourism agencies, associationand local firms to help Can Tho with tourism promotion.

Accordingto him, more and more Wakayama residents have choosen Vietnam’s southernlocalities as destinations thanks to peaceful setting, hospitality and uniqueculture. With many natural cultural heritages, Can Tho has attracted theattention of Japanese visitors.

Theguest also took the occasion to ask Can Tho authorities to popularise theprefecture’s attractions such as Koya mountain and Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routewhich have been recognised as the world natural heritages.

Chairmanof the municipal People’s Committee Vo Thanh Thong agreed with the host’sproposals, and pledged to provide all possible support for Japanese andWakayama firms to do business in the city.

Hereiterated that the municipal authorities encourage departments, agencies andenterprises to strengthen bilateral collaboration.-VNA