President Truong Tan Sang stressed the great potential for agricultural cooperation between Vietnam and Japan during a meeting with Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Hayashi Yoshimasa on June 25 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Recalling the deep impression he had from a trip to Ibaraki prefecture during his March Japan visit, the president said Vietnam, with more than 70 percent of the population being farmers, gives top priority to agriculture in its development strategy. However, due to outdated farming technology, Vietnam has not been able to earn high added value from its agricultural products.

He asked the minister to continue to help Vietnam call for more Japanese FDI projects and assist the country in developing processing technology, agricultural services and mechanisation, adding that Vietnam highly values Japan’s official development assistance.

Hayashi said his visit aims to concretise agricultural cooperation deals reached by the two sides during President Sang’s Japan visit.

He said through this visit, he realised that Vietnam needs solutions to raise its agricultural productivity. Japan will help Vietnam successfully set up value chains for farm produce and food via dialogues on agricultural cooperation, the minister said.

He spoke highly of Vietnam’s policy of permitting Japanese farm produce to expand market share in the country and facilitating operation by Japanese businesses.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the minister hailed Vietnam ’s stance of pursuing peaceful measures in line with international law.-VNA