Vietnam expects the Philippines to facilitate rice imports

While receiving Meynardo Montealegre, Ambassador of the Philippines to Vietnam, in Hanoi, Son expressed his delight at the positive development of the Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership over the years.

As both countries have reopened their economies to the world, Son suggested the two sides work together to increase the exchange of visits and contacts at all levels, and to maintain bilateral cooperation mechanisms, so as to boost trade, tourism ties as well as cooperation between their localities.

He pointed to the fact that the Philippines is Vietnam’s largest rice consumption market, and affirmed that Vietnam is always ready to supply rice to the Philippines in a stable manner.

He expressed his wish that the Philippine Government would continue to give priority to importing Vietnamese rice and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to export rice to the Philippines.

The Minister asked the Ambassador to discuss with the relevant agencies of the Philippines a number of measures to support rice import and export activities of the two countries in the coming time, including enhancing the exchange of market information and policies related to rice import and export, as well as limiting trade barriers.

Ambassador Montealegre emphasized that he would continue to make efforts to contribute to promoting the Vietnam-Philippines relations. The ambassador assured that he would transfer Minister Son’s proposals to relevant Philippine agencies for consideration to facilitate rice trade between the two countries.

On this occasion, Ambassador Montealegre wished Vietnam successful hosting of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) from May 12 to 23.

Minister Son wished the Philippines successful organization of the general election on May 9.