HCMC – Japan aims to boost cooperation with Can Tho City in the Mekong Delta region in the agriculture sector, heard a meeting between Can Tho leaders and a delegation of Japanese representatives on December 23.
Speaking at a meeting in Can Tho, Watanabe Michitaro, Mayor of Nasushiobara City in Japan’s Tochigi Prefecture, said that Japan was set to sign a memorandum of understanding with Can Tho to develop agriculture and human resources in July 2020. However, the Covid pandemic hindered the plan.
The pandemic has now been brought under control in the two countries, so Japan expected to speed up the signing with Can Tho, paving the way for deeper cooperation, said the Japanese representative.
Nasushiobara City has strength in agriculture and is one of the major husbandry hubs in Japan, said Watanabe.
Pham Van Hieu, chairman of the Can Tho People’s Council, said that Can Tho City has some 80% farmland. Over the past few years, the city has annually turned out more than 235,000 tons of fishery products. Besides, the city produces some 200,000 tons of fruits each year.
As for manpower, Can Tho City is home to six universities with over 70,000 students each year, 14 colleges and tens of vocational training centers. In 2022, Can Tho City sent 172 workers to Japan for work, the local media reported.
Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties, Hieu said, adding that he expected the two cities to boost their partnership in multiple sectors.
