South Africa seeks sci-tech links with Vietnam

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has met with South African Minister of Science and Technology Grace Nadeli Mandisa Pandor, who expressed interest in strengthening scientific and technological cooperation with Vietnam.

At the August 2 meeting in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, Hai underlined the significance of science-technology in Vietnam’s economic restructuring and well-being.

Appreciating a memorandum of understanding on science, technology and innovation cooperation signed between the two countries’ ministries of science and technology during his official visit to South Africa, he said the document will lay a foundation for them to collaborate in the field.

Meanwhile, Pandor presented some of her country’s scientific and technological strengths such as biotechnology application in health care, agriculture and energy.

She also expressed her admiration for Vietnam’s socio-economic accomplishments in recent years.

At a separate meeting, CEO of the Reutech Group Peter Van de Bijl introduced his firm’s flagship products that are relevant to Vietnam, including modern radar devices which are able to detect and issue disaster warnings – appropriate for Vietnam’s geography and climate.

Also on August 2, the Vietnamese official met with a representative of the Karan Beef group, Matthew Karan, who presented his company’s capacity in cattle raising and beef processing and its aims for cooperation with Vietnam. Hai asked the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to consider Karan Beef’s proposals on affiliation with Vietnamese businesses.

During his stay, Deputy PM Hai also had a meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy and the expatriate community.-VNA