Canada hopes to expand trade in Mekong Delta

Farmers harvest rice in the Mekong Delta (Photo: VNA)

Businesses from Canada are seeking to expand trade in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, especially in chemicals, agriculture pharmaceuticals, seafood material and education.

During a working session with Can Tho city authorities on August 10, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam David Devine said Canadian firms want to enhance trade relations in the delta, specifically with Can Tho city, Tien Giang and Ben Tre provinces.

He said Canada welcomes and creates favourable conditions for Vietnamese rice and seafood and other agriculture businesses to expand trade in the market.

He noted that the Mekong Delta is rich in land and boasts high agro-fisheries output. The region’s export products also meet the Global Good Agricultural Practice (GlobalGAP) standards.

With the support of Canadian agriculture pharmaceuticals, the local products are expected to satisfy the strict requirements of choosy markets such as the EU and Japan, he added.

The Ambassador said economic ties between Canada and Can Tho in particular are optimistic, citing the latter raked in 4.7 million USD in export turnover with rice and seafood as staples. Meanwhile, the city imported agriculture pharmaceuticals and chemicals from Canada worth 1.2 million USD.

Chairman of the Can Tho municipal People’s Committee Le Hung Dung said he hopes the Ambassador will support the dissemination of Vietnamese farm produce in the Canadian market.

He proposed the Ambassador persuade Canadian businesses to reduce cost and ensure quality of fertilizer sold to the delta.

He assured his guest that local authorities would provide the best conditions for Canadian companies to study and expand operations in the city.-VNA