Can Tho bolsters agricultural cooperation with Cuba

Cuba is looking to bolster cooperation with the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho in the production of rice, fruits, and aquaculture, in line with agricultural restructuring and high-technology application.

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera made the statement during a working session with the city’s authorities on September 21.

Vietnam and Cuba have nurtured a traditional and long-standing friendship, the Ambassador stressed.

Vietnam’s 30-year reform process provided valuable lessons for the national construction of Cuba in the new era, facilitating the country’s international integration, the diplomat said, adding that Cuba is focusing on developing its agriculture, tourism, and healthcare industries, with the country striving to elevate economic and trade relations with many Vietnam’s localities, including Can Tho, to match the countries’ political ties.

Accordingly, priority will be given to animal breeding programmes that serve both sides’ agricultural development, she noted.

On the occasion, Cuban Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Indira Lopez Arguelles, who also attended the meeting, briefed her host on the potential, opportunities, and investment incentives in Cuba.

Vietnamese firms will be given top priority in terms of procedures and competition when investing in Cuba, she affirmed.

Arguelles also introduced opportunities for investment in the Mariel Special Economic Development Zone, which covers over 465sq.m in the west of Havana.

She hoped that the zone’s promising potential will attract investors from Can Tho and other south-western provinces of Vietnam.

For his part, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Thanh Thong applauded the proposals and contributions of his guests, noting that cooperation between Can Tho and Cuba remains largely untapped due to a shortage of information about the market and investment policy. 

Cuba has only one project, worth 5.6 million USD, in the city – the Labiofam Vietnam Co. Ltd based in Binh Thuy district. Meanwhile, Can Tho is yet to implement any investment project or export goods to the Latin American country.

He called on Cuba to enhance collaboration with Can Tho in fields that carry great potential with high demand in the Mekong Delta and Vietnam, such as tourism, high-tech agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and especially biotechnology.