At the reception, Permanent Vice Chairman Duong Tan Hien presented the potential and advantages of Can Tho City, emphasizing its strong agricultural sector. Can Tho boasts a whopping 80% of its land for farming (nearly 115,000 ha). The city is a hub for services and tourism, with rice, seafood, fruit trees, and animal farming forming the backbone of its agricultural industry. Last year, the city accommodated roughly 6 million visitors, generating a revenue of 5,420 billion VND (225.8 million USD). Additionally, Can Tho City has exceeded all socio-economic targets set for it. Leveraging the advantages, provided by the Government’s pilot-specific policies and mechanisms for Can Tho's development, the city aims to maximize its potential and become a stronger economic force.

Despite this, the city is grappling with the adverse effects of climate change, such as river bank erosion and rising water levels. Therefore, the city has laid out a concrete plan to construct closed dikes for each district and sewers to prevent tides by 2024, which will help reduce river bank erosion. Furthermore, in the near future, the city plans to establish regulating lakes. Thus, Can Tho is seeking cooperation and support to find appropriate adaptation solutions to tackle these challenges head-on.

Mr. Duong Tan Hien, Permanent Vice Chairman of Can Tho Municipal People's Committee, spoke at the meeting

Permanent Vice Chairman Duong Tan Hien emphasized the mutual benefits of increased agricultural cooperation between Wernigerode and Can Tho, saying that it aligns perfectly with Can Tho's strategic focus on developing its services-tourism.

The official wished that Mayor Kascha would act as a bridge, facilitating information exchange and business opportunities for Can Tho enterprises seeking to expand into Wernigerode. Can Tho authorities will support and create favorable conditions for businesses from Germany, particularly those from Wernigerode to do business there, Permanent Vice Chairman Duong Tan Hien said.

The delegation from Germany’s Wernigerode City at the meeting

The Mayor of Wernigerode City, Mr. Tobias Kascha, expressed his gratitude to the leaders of Can Tho City for their warm welcome. He also expressed his for stronger connection and deeper cooperation in various sectors between the two cities. He highlighted Germany's existing twinning relationships with Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An, which he believes provide a solid foundation for further locality-to-locality partnerships between Vietnam and Germany.

Wernigerode, like Can Tho, prioritizes tourism as a key economic driver, he said, noting the German city's extensive experience in sustainable green tourism models. He expressed his willingness to share this expertise with Can Tho while learning from the Mekong Delta city's successful models, particularly those focusing on green tourism adaptable to climate change.

According to Can Tho Municipal Department of Foreign Affairs, Can Tho exported 18.15 million USD worth of goods to Germany last year, with rice, aquatic products, agricultural and processed agricultural products, apparel, and handicrafts as key currency earners. Its imports from Germany reached 260,000 USD, mostly pharmaceutical materials, machinery, and equipment.