Can Tho, France step up co-operation in tourism, health, and education

During a working session held on March between Nguyen Thuc Hien, vice chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee, a delegation of the French Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City led by Emmanuelle Pavillon Grosser, French consul general of France.

The French diplomat revealed that France will carry out several projects relating to teaching and learning French at high schools, whilst simultaneously providing local businesses with market information, expanding co-operation among French localities, and diversifying tourism promotion channels.

Hien said he hopes to see the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City serve as a bridge to help Can Tho fulfill signed contents with the French cities of Nice and La Seyne-sur-Mer, as well as co-operating with French educational institutions to launch undergraduate and postgraduate training schemes in future.

Furthermore, the consulate general will also become a key channel in which to provide local businesses with useful information on importers, commodity standards, tariff preferences, market demand, business culture, trade fairs, and exhibitions.

At present, there are two projects funded by French official development assistance (ODA) relating to providing medical equipment for Can Tho General Hospital and responding to the impact of climate change.

According to the Can Tho Department of Foreign Affairs, the Mekong Delta city’s exports to France last year reached US$10.82 million, with major items including rice, seafood, garments, and agricultural products.

The city also spent US$3.94 million importing pharmaceutical materials, agricultural medicine, veterinary drugs, and other items.