At the reception, Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc He welcomed Dutch Ambassador Kees Van Baar to Can Tho city and the Mekong Delta for the first time.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc He introduced Can Tho city’s strengths and potential and stressed that Can Tho city, as a center of the Mekong Delta region, boasts strengths in agriculture and aquaculture production, and tourism.

According to Can Tho municipal Department of Foreign Affairs, the Netherlands has one investment project worth 32 million USD, which specializes in producing beverage products in Can Tho. The Dutch also support three non-governmental projects on cleaning up the ocean, water supply adapting to climate change, and improving capacity in managing water resources. 

Can Tho’s export turnover to the Netherlands in 2022 hit nearly 71 million USD, with key exports being rice, aquatic products, farm produce, processed foods, and textiles.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc He said that Can Tho city has received huge support from the Netherlands over the last fifty years, especially in projects to protect the environment and water resources, and respond to climate change. More importantly, these projects have proven significantly effective for the region.

Besides, this year marks the 50th Anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands. Therefore, Can Tho city hoped to coordinate with the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City to organize meaningful commemorative activities in the city.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc He wished Dutch firms would come to do business and strengthen their investment in the Mekong Delta city in the fields of education, agriculture, and climate change response through the support of Ambassador Kees Van Baar and the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh City Daniel Coenraad Stork in the coming time. Moreover, the city will organize a delegation to visit the Netherlands this June, he said.

Responding to the cordial reception of Can Tho leaders, Dutch Ambassador Kees Van Baar expressed his gratitude for the good friendship between the two countries and affirmed that the Netherlands attaches importance to the cooperation relationship with the Mekong Delta region, including Can Tho city. According to the Ambassador, the Mekong Delta region is the focus and priority in activities of the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam. The Netherlands has supported Can Tho in a project to clean up the ocean by boats collecting plastic waste on rivers.

Regarding investment cooperation, Dutch Ambassador Kees Van Baar said businesses from the Netherlands are interested in investing in projects on aquaculture and agriculture production, especially the export of fresh fruits and seedlings. In April this year, 20 Dutch businesses will attend a shrimp exhibition held in Can Tho, which is expected to be a good chance for firms operating in the shrimp industry to seek investment opportunities and partners.

Dutch Ambassador Kees Van Baar will support Can Tho city in calling for Dutch investors and co-organizing with Can Tho city practical activities to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands this year.