Vietnam and Sierra Leone agreed to cooperate in agriculture and fisheries during the visit by the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister, Doan Xuan Hung, from July 19-23.

Memoranda of understanding on the cooperation were signed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security and the Fishery Ministry of Sierra Leone.

Hung, who is dubbed as Deputy Foreign Minister, visited President Ernest Bai Koroma and passed on Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s letter.

He expressed wishes to elevate the two countries’ friendship and cooperation and highly valued efforts made by the Government and people of Sierra Leone in strengthening peace and reconstructing their country, especially in restoring infrastructure and promoting socio-economic development.

Hung and his entourage held working sessions with the ministers of foreign affairs and international cooperation, trade and industry, and interior. They held talks with the minister of fisheries and the deputy minister of agriculture, forestry and food security.

The Sierra Leone President and ministers expressed wishes to boost cooperation with Vietnam as well as learn about Southeast Asian country’s experiences for making the best use of their natural resources, land and climate to ensure food security for their people and ensure national economic development.

During these meetings, both sides agreed to speed up measures to further their support and assistance in the fields of politics and diplomacy and broaden economic and trade ties.

They also discussed possibilities for expanding their existing cooperation in construction, health care and education.

During the visit, the Vietnamese officials visited several agricultural and fish farms./.