State President: VN ready to boost broader cooperation with Madagascar

VGP – President Tran Dai Quang hosted a reception for visiting Madagascan Minister at the Presidency in charge of Agriculture and Livestock Rivo Rakotovao in Ha Noi on May 8.

May 09, 2017 9:27 AM GMT+7

President Tran Dai Quang receives Madagascan Minister, Ha Noi, May 8, 2017

The State leader underlined that high-ranking leaders of the two counties have paid special attention to promoting agriculture links, which is a pillar in the bilateral relations.

He affirmed Viet Nam's willingness to cooperate with Madagascar on particular strengths, including agriculture, trade and investment.

He suggested the two sides encourage their enterprises to seek investment opportunities in respective nations, and asked the Madagascan side to facilitate Vietnamese enterprises’ agricultural investment and business in the African country.

Viet Nam will consider sending its experts and technicians to work in cooperation projects in Madagascar, he said, urging Madagascar to send experts to share experience in agricultural production and ensuring food security with Vietnam, he noted.

The two countries need to cooperate in seeking financial sources and assistance from international organisations and developed countries such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN and the International Francophone Organisation in order to support their cooperation projects in agriculture and food security, the State leader said.

In turn, Rivo Rakotovao affirmed President Quang’s visit to his country in November last year opened a new cooperation prospect between the two countries in agriculture, breeding and rural development.

He also pointed out difficulties facing Madagascar in ensuring food security as the country is hard hit by climate change.

The Minister told that up to 80% of Madagascar’s population live in rural areas, so agriculture is the main contributor to the national economy. The African nation is focusing on developing agricultural trade and ensuring food safety.

He said his nation desires to reinforce stronger partnership with Viet Nam in the future, noting that the wider cooperation between ministries and sectors will provide a good foundation to propel the two contries relationship forward./

By Vien Nhu