At the reception, Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Nguyen Ngoc He was delighted to welcome Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Mark Tattersall and 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 export value of Can Tho City's goods to the Australian market in the first six months of 2023 was 17.5 million USD, with the main exports being rice, seafood, and garments.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc He said Can Tho City has received continuous support from the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City through the Direct Assistance Program (DAP) in the field of rural clean water, education, and the construction of agricultural bridges. These works have brought about practical effects, contributing to the locality's socio-economic development, and gradually narrowing the gap between rural and urban areas. Furthermore, the National Assembly has issued a special resolution to create some preferential mechanisms to turn Can Tho City into a driving force of the Mekong Delta region, and investors, including those from Australia, will be eligible to enjoy preferential policies relating to administrative and customs procedures, taxation and land.

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

Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc He wished Australian firms would come to do business and strengthen their investment in the Mekong Delta city in the field of trade, rural clean water, climate change response, education, and the construction of agricultural bridges through the support of Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Mark Tattersall and the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in the coming time.

Can Tho City leaders received Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Mark Tattersall

Responding to the cordial reception of Can Tho leaders, Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Mark Tattersall expressed his gratitude for the good friendship between the two countries and affirmed that Australia attaches importance to the cooperation relationship with the Mekong Delta region, including Can Tho city. According to the Deputy Ambassador, Australia wishes to expand collaboration with Can Tho city in particular and the Mekong Delta region at large, especially in the agricultural area.

The diplomat said Australia has a close rapport with the Mekong Delta region through numerous projects related to agriculture, environment, education, and trade, adding that Australia, through its Australia Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), will continue to strengthen collaboration and implement projects to support the region to cope with climate change.