Delegates to the conference on “Agricultural Cooperation Promotion between Vietnam and Mozambique” pose for a photo. (Photo: VNA)Pretoria (VNA) – A conference on “AgriculturalCooperation Promotion between Vietnam and Mozambique” was held in the capitalcity of Maputo, Mozambique, on June 11 by the Embassy of Vietnam to furtherfoster the two countries’ partnership in this area.
Opening the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Mozambique LeHuy Hoang said the Government and people of Vietnam always attach greatsignificance to developing ties with Mozambique and wants to strengthen thetraditional bilateral relations and economic cooperation in key sectors,including agriculture.
Hoang noted Vietnam looks to continue partnering withMozambique and other African countries, thus contributing to ensuring foodsecurity and improving the local living standards.
Mozambican Minister of Agriculture and Food SecurityFrancisco de Marrule spoke highly of what the Government and people of Vietnamhave done to develop the economy, ensure social welfare and gain a higherstatus in the international arena.
Mozambique is blessed with large fertile land, favourableclimate and long coastline for the development of agriculture and aquaculture,he said, adding that Mozambique is formulating new policies to facilitate foreigninvestors doing business in the country, particularly in agriculturalproduction and processing.
The minister welcomed Vietnamese businesses to enhanceinvestment in Mozambique and suggested them focus not only on production ofshort-duration plants like rice and vegetables but also on high-valueindustrial crops such as cassava, cashew, coconuts and coffee.
Speaking at the conference, Director General of theAgricultural Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM) Olga Faftine highly valuedthe effectiveness of a joint project between the two countries to develop foodcrops in Zambezia province. Most of the objectives of the 2.2-million-USDproject have been achieved, she noted.
A group of Vietnamese experts have been sent toMozambique to work with a local centre for agriculture studies to open about 50training courses on techniques for cultivation of rice, soybean, sweet potatosand vegetables, she stated.
Faftine proposed Vietnam continue supporting Mozambiquein the second phase of the project to ensure its sustainable results.-VNA
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