The content of the meeting was devoted to the analysis and collection of data on cooperation in the context of the international trade development strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises in the agricultural sector (June 2019 - January 2020); update the situation of the Can Tho University construction project and support the development of human resources.

Naomichi Murooka said that JICA's focus is on agricultural activities, especially public investment and private cooperation in agriculture for 2020 - 2024. In addition, JICA will review and re-evaluate what has been achieved and what hasn’t during the 2015 - 2019 period, to develop plans for the period 2020 - 2024.

The Mekong Delta is one of four regions selected as part of the Japan-Vietnam strategic cooperation program (with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Lam Dong and Nghe An), and the city of Can Tho is chosen to carry out activities to fight climate change and to cooperate in agricultural development. The University of Can Tho will be the main partner of cooperation with Japan.

During this survey, the team will implement three objectives, namely, analyzing the challenges and needs of the food value chain; examining the investment opportunities of Japanese private companies in Vietnam; considering the investment potential of local businesses.

Mr. Naomichi Murooka said that the results of this survey would be collected and reported quickly to the Can Tho city People's Committee to serve as a basis for developing the city's medium and long-term development plans in the coming years.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Le Quang Manh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City agreed with the content proposed by the delegation and said that this content is in-line with the previous cooperation orientation between the municipal leaders and the Japanese part. At the same time, he together with relevant departments and agencies will work closely with JICA and the working group in the areas mentioned.

In order for the investigation team to have enough data on the city, Mr. Le Quang Manh asked the municipal departments and agencies to actively report the data and consider answering questions from the delegation in advance.

Mr. Le Quang Manh also asked the JICA survey team to gather all the information based on the content of the report and more specific recommendations should be sent to Japanese agencies as well as the general information regarding Japanese companies interested in Can Tho city. Thus, the chairman of Can Tho city People's Committee Le Quang Manh hoped that JICA would continue to launch more specific cooperation programs with Can Tho.

President Manh said the city would create the best conditions for JICA volunteers to work in Can Tho. He also hoped that in the future Can Tho will continue to receive more volunteers in the intensive and special areas of the country such as technology, the transfer of Japan's techniques and experience.