Government leader receives Director of Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture
VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 24 hosted a reception for Director of the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) Christian Hofer, who is in Hanoi to attend the 4th global conference of the One Planet Network's Sustainable Food Systems Programme (SFS Programme) from April 24 to 27.
Both sides hailed outcomes of the two nations’ cooperation since the establishment of their diplomatic relations five decades ago.
Switzerland is currently the 6th largest European investor in Vietnam with a total investment of about US$2 billion, and is one of the few Western European countries maintaining development aid for and economic cooperation with Vietnam during the past three decades.
Based on both countries’ traditional friendship and all-around cooperation, they believed that such ties will further be strengthened and developed, particularly in the fields of agriculture and food security.
Vietnam is building ecological and responsible agriculture and shifting from agricultural production to agricultural economy, Chinh told his guest.
Therefore, Vietnam hopes Switzerland will continue ODA projects for Vietnam regarding the local farming, rural areas, and farmers, especially in the Mekong Delta, he said, adding a proposal for Switzerland to join investment cooperation with Vietnam in capital, science and technology, human resources training, management science, and institutional building.
The Vietnamese Government chief’s suggestions also included Switzerland’s support for Vietnam in joining the supply chain and expanding its market in the country and Europe, particularly regarding products of Vietnam’s strength and Switzerland’s demand such as coffee, cashew, and peppercorn.
Chinh also underlined the need for the two sides to exchange information and strategic forecasts serving mutual benefits.
Agreeing with these suggestions, Hofer applauded Vietnam's initiatives delivered at the 4th global conference as well as its role and capacity in the agricultural production chain, contributing to ensuring global food security.
He said Switzerland houses many reputable enterprises and universities that can collaborate with Vietnam across multiple areas, including high-quality farming development.
Switzerland is willing to support and cooperate with Vietnam in developing organic agriculture, joining the global supply chain, the official said, while hoping that the countries will negotiate to sign a free trade agreement to promote their trade exchange in the time ahead.