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

At a working session with representatives of the municipal People’s Committeeon June 13, the Consul General said efforts made by local authorities andbusinesses to develop the farming sector in chains and upgrade machines andtechnologies 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 logisticsservices and the planning of high-tech agricultural areas. Besides, investorshave to face challenges relating to capital, market and partners inorganisation and management, he said.  

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

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

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

He urged Can Tho to form a legal network friendly with businesses, improve thelocal infrastructure system and the quality of human resources and intensify promotionactivities 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, CanTho should set forth long-term and specific goals, the Consul Generalsuggested.

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

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

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