President Truong Tan Sang and his entourage visited Ibaraki prefecture on March 16, the first day of his four-day State visit to Japan.

Meeting with Ibaraki Governor Masaru Hasimoto, President Sang thanked the local authorities and people for their support for the Vietnamese community here.

He expressed his wish that more Ibaraki companies will select Vietnam as one of their attractive destinations and affirmed that Vietnam is ready to create the best conditions for Japanese partners to do business in the country.

Earlier, the Vietnamese leader visited the locality’s agricultural research centre and vegetable processing factory to study its successful technological application models in agriculture.

President Sang said that agricultural and rural development is one of Vietnam ’s priorities in its development strategy as nearly 70 percent of its population work in the field.

He also revealed his visit’s aim is to discuss with Japanese leaders on measures to develop cooperation between the two countries, especially in agriculture.

On the same day, the Vietnamese leader witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ibaraki authorities.

An official welcome ceremony for President Sang and his entourage is scheduled to take place at the Royal Palace on March 17./.