Chairman of the People’s Committee of northern Nam Dinh province Doan Hong Phong had an October 7 working session with Mayor of Japan’s Ibaraki prefecture Hashimoto Masaru, during which they discussed how to step up cooperation in agriculture and industry.

Phong proposed that Ibaraki transfer technology in selecting plant varieties and breeds as well as in processing and preserving farm produce, and speed up high-tech agricultural projects in Y Yen district.

He also urged the prefecture to encourage its businesses to invest in machinery manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agricultural and aquatic product processing, and electronics in the locality.

Nam Dinh is ready to reserve one to two industrial zones with favourable positions for businesses from Japan in general and Ibaraki prefecture in particular, he added.

According to the provincial leader, Nam Dinh is calling for coordination from Ibaraki scientists and research institutes in studying solutions to improve the quality of farming land and respond to climate change. The two sides should jointly implement projects to restore and develop lacquer, silk and wood production in the locality.

He also asked the Japanese side to support Nam Dinh in training of high-quality human resources.

For his part, Hashimoto Masaru said that agriculture is still a priority in cooperation between the two localities.

During this visit, the prefecture will consider collaboration with several Vietnamese localities, including Nam Dinh in the north and Dong Thap in the south, he added.-VNA