Netherlands seeks agricultural cooperation with HCM City

HCM City (VNA) – Many enterprises from the Netherlands wish to boost cooperation with Ho Chi Minh City in agriculture, contributing to Vietnam’s agricultural development, said a representative from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Marjolijn Sonnema, Vice Minister for Agriculture of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, said the businesses highly valued potential for cooperation in this sphere with the city when she met with Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem on March 20.

The Netherlands and Vietnam have built a close relationship on the basis of trust and long-term cooperation, she said, affirming that her country attaches importance to strengthening and expanding cooperation with Vietnam. 

For his part, Liem highlighted the flourishing development of the bilateral ties, and thanked effective support of the Dutch side, especially those from Rotterdam city’s authority for HCM City in coping with climate change, managing water resources and preventing floods.

He affirmed the municipal authorities will create favourable conditions for foreign firms, including Dutch companies, to invest in the city, especially in high-tech agriculture and biotechnology.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed a number of cooperative projects in agriculture and information technology, including cooperation between the Dutch side and the Saigon Trading Group (Satra) in implementing a flower trading centre, and with the Saigon Industry Corporation (CNS) in manufacturing integrated circuit in the city. 

Earlier the day, Marjolijn Sonnema delivered a speech at a business forum on agriculture-innovation, and attended a programme to promote links between the two countries’ enterprises in HCM City.

Vietnam and the Netherlands established a strategic partnership on climate change adaptation and water management in 2010, and signed a strategic partnership agreement on sustainable agriculture and food security in April 2014. 

Bilateral trade is growing steadily. In 2015, Vietnam’s exports to the Netherlands increased by 42 percent and imports by 37 percent. The Netherlands is the second largest trade partner and the biggest investor in Vietnam in the European Union.