The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho is carrying out a trade cooperation programme with Russia aiming to reach the target of 100 million USD in export turnover during 2009 and 2010.

The set target that holds 10 percent of the city’s export turnover is a part of the medium-term plan between Vietnam and Russia to take joint action in trade and investment till 2012.

The municipal People’s Committee has instructed relevant departments and agencies to promote trade activities and advertisement, including the cooperation with Vietnam’s trade centres in Russia to open exhibitions on the city’s specialties, especially seafood products.

The city will assist businesses to modernise technologies and equipment to improve the competitiveness of local products in the international markets.

In the spirit, Vietnamese competent authorities have made requests for lifting the Russia’s prohibition of the Vietnam’s exported seafood products.

Foreign trade cooperation between Can Tho City and Russia has developed. In 2008, the city’s export turnover to Russia reached 20 million USD, a year-on-year increase of 69.4 percent./.