The Mekong Delta province of An Giang plans to shake hands with Netherlands firms to expand export markets for its fruits and farm products.

During a working session with Vietnam Trade House and Padfood companies from the Netherlands on March 3, Doan Ngoc Pha, deputy head of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the province is planning to expand its maize cultivation area to supply the Netherlands .

He said with high quality varieties created from those from the US and Switzerland growing in over 11,000 hectares, the province can guarantee the origin and quality of its maize and maize products.

Meanwhile, Theo Thiam The, General Director of the Padfood company, said his firm will coordinate with An Giang in developing material area for maize powder processing.

The company will work with An Giang University to conduct research on maize varieties to suit the markets of the Netherlands and Europe as well.

According to Theo Thiam The, his company plans to import fresh fruits for retails chains in the Netherlands and will study the purchase of mango from An Giang.

Pham Hai, General Director of the Vietnam Trade House said sample products from An Giang have received good feedback from Netherlands customers.

He proposed that local firms renovate their sale and delivery methods to gain easier access to the Netherlands market.

According to Vuong Binh Thanh, Chairman of the An Giang People’s Committee, the province has assigned the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Antesco company as contact points for maize and mango export.

The province will also offer loans with preferential interest rates to local firms which wish to broaden their production of for-export products, while sending its experts to the Netherlands for experience-sharing trips.-VNA