Can Tho, Australia to stimulate trade, agriculture

He made the statement at a meeting with Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Craig Chittick in the Mekong Delta city on November 28.

The official said bilateral trade has felt short of potential, with only two Australian-invested projects in the production of vegetable oil products and beverages in Can Tho.  

In 2015, Can Tho exported commodities worth US$8.2 million to Australia. In the first ten months of this year, thanks to Australia allowing local fruit to enter its market, the figure leapt to US$11 million.

Australian imports in Can Tho, mostly materials and fishery products, were valued at US$245,000 last year, increasing 20-fold to US$4 million as of October 2016.

Nam expected more joint projects on high-tech farming will be implemented and asked for Australian assistance for his city in climate change adaptation, water resources management and sanitation.

For his part, the Australian diplomat said his country cares for prosperous outlook in Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong Delta.

Joint infrastructure projects between the two countries have facilitated development in the delta, Chittick added, citing the construction of the My Thuan bridge and the upcoming building of the Cao Lanh bridge. 

Australia pays a particular interest in water resources management in the area and has sponsored to ensure water supply from upstream Mekong River for the delta, he stressed.