Vietnam ’s 3,000 high-sea fishing ships will be installed with locating devices, ensuring safety for fishermen and helping them increase production, thanks to a new project between Vietnam and France .

Under the project on monitoring fishing vessels by satellite project signed in Paris on Feb. 16, France ’s Collecte Localisiation Satellite (CLS) Company will supply equipment, transfer installation technology and provide training for Vietnamese officials in using the equipment.

The project worth 13.9 million EUR will be carried out from 2011-2014 with the use of the French government’s official development assistance loans.

Thanks to the advanced devices, fishermen will get early information on storms and bad weather as well as on potential fishing grounds.

Chu Tien Vinh, Director from Fisheries Department - the project beneficiary, said if the project proves to be successful, the department will ask for permission to install the equipment for an additional 2,000 vessels.

The French will send experts to provide on-spot training for about 30 Vietnamese officials each year, French Secretary of State for Trade J.F. Lellouche said at a meeting with Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc, who is on a working visit to the European country from Feb. 16-18.

Also at the meeting, the two sides discussed measures to increase cooperation in energy, electricity, transport, particularly urban transport, food and farm produce processing and health.

Vietnam always encourages French investors, Minister Phuc told reporters after the signing ceremony, adding his country does not limit exports to France and encourages French goods to Vietnam , especially high-tech products.

He said he wished for an early signing of a project on Can Tho hospital construction.

Also the same day, Minister Phuc met with Secretary of State for Health Nora Berra and worked with the federation of automobile and aviation-space equipment businesses.

During his stay in France, the Minister is scheduled to meet with Chairman H. Proglio of the French Electricity Group (EDF), former ambassador to Vietnam Serge Degallaix, vice chairman of Areva group Luc Oursel./.