Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan worked with leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agrifood, and Forestry of France during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to the European nation.

The two sides discussed support for Vietnam’s fisheries sector in accordance with recommendations of the European Union (EU) in order to remove the ‘yellow card’ warning.

Hoan underlined the significant role of fisheries and efforts made by the Vietnamese Government in improving infrastructure and capacity of the sector.

He called on the French side to promote cooperation with Vietnam, including technical and financial assistance to help the country effectively carry out the EU’s recommendation.

Hoan pledged that Vietnam is willing to join hands with the French agricultural ministry and the French Development Agency (AFD) to negotiate loans from France, and devise major official development assistance (ODA) projects.

The sides agreed to bolster public-private partnership and develop information system and technical infrastructure in fisheries management, creating conditions for French enterprises to invest in Vietnam.

The minister witnessed the signing of three important agreements, notably a memorandum of understanding between Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the AFD for 2021-23.

He introduced the potential of Vietnam’s agriculture to French entrepreneurs and called for their investment in programmes facilitating the rural economy and tourism.

The countries are to step up farm produce trade and develop long-term cooperation programmes, he added.

Source: Nhan Dan Online