Cần Thơ seeks to boost economic cooperation with Dutch partners

Cần Thơ seeks to boost economic cooperation with Dutch partners

The city hopes the Dutch Consulate General and enterprises will help promote bilateral import-export activities and strengthen connections to encourage Dutch investors to explore priority sectors in Cần Thơ, said a local official.

Delegates from Cần Thơ City and the Netherlands at the meeting. — VNA/VNS Photo

The Mekong Delta city of Cần Thơ is seeking to deepen economic cooperation with Dutch partners in smart agriculture, water management, and climate-resilient development, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Trần Chí Hùng said on Tuesday.

Receiving a delegation led by Raissa Marteaux, Consul General of the Netherlands in HCM City, together with representatives of leading Dutch technology firms, financial institutions, and policymakers, Hùng highlighted the strong and growing cooperation between the Netherlands and Việt Nam, including Cần Thơ, especially in areas where the European country has recognised strengths such as human resources training, water resources management, smart agriculture, and sustainable development.

The official noted that last year, Cần Thơ’s exports to the Netherlands reached US$11.64 million, mainly aquatic products, garments, sports gloves, and processed farm produce. However, he said the figure remains modest compared with the potential, leaving ample room for expanded trade and investment cooperation between the two sides.

The city hopes the Dutch Consulate General and enterprises will help promote bilateral import-export activities and strengthen connections to encourage Dutch investors to explore priority sectors in Cần Thơ, he said.

For her part, Marteaux praised the cooperative relationship with Cần Thơ and affirmed that in her role as Consul General, she will continue to promote cooperation in training and other potential areas proposed by the city. 

She added that the current visit also aims to discuss measures for developing crop production in the Mekong Delta, including Cần Thơ, in a more sustainable manner. Dutch partners are particularly focused on measures to address saltwater intrusion, improve seed quality, enhance crop productivity, and raise the value of agricultural products.

Drawing on Dutch experience, Marteaux stressed that effectively tackling saltwater intrusion requires close collaboration between researchers and practitioners. In the coming time, leading Dutch experts and organisations specialising in climate adaptation and salinity control are willing to share their experience and collaborate with Việt Nam, including Cần Thơ, to develop solutions tailored to local conditions.

Currently, Cần Thơ is calling on potential investors to explore opportunities in agricultural and aquatic processing, manufacturing, high-tech agriculture, information technology, infrastructure development and trade, as well as projects listed in the city’s investment promotion portfolio for the 2023–2025 period, with orientations towards 2030. 

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