Gabonese trade minister explores rice production in Long An
Gabon is seeking Vietnamese enterprises that can transfer rice farming technology and invest in rice production, not only to serve domestic consumers but also to export to neighbouring countries, Gabon minister of trade Yves Fernand Manfoumbi said during his visit to Vietnam.
Gabonese minister of trade Yves Fernand Manfoumbi (second from the left) pays a visit to the factory of rice producer Cong Thanh Ut Hanh in the Mekong Delta province of Long An on March 22. (Photo: VNA)
Long An (VNA) – Gabon is seeking Vietnameseenterprises that can transfer rice farming technology and invest in riceproduction, not only to serve domestic consumers but also to export to neighbouringcountries, Gabonese minister of trade Yves Fernand Manfoumbi said during his visit to Vietnam.
Manfoumbi and his entourage on March 22 made a field trip to the factory ofCong Thanh Ut Hanh Co., Ltd – a major rice producer and exporter in Tan Ancity, the Mekong Delta province of Long An. Nguyen Tuan Thanh,Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, also joined thevisit.
Long An has formed a plan to develop 60,000 hectares ofhigh-quality rice farming regions and sub-regions by 2025, Thanh told theGabonese minister. The province now has over 22,000 hectares of hi-tech ricefarming areas, he said.
Long An exports some 600,000 – 800,000 tonnes of riceannually, accounting for around 10 – 13 percent of the country’s total riceshipments, the Vietnamese official noted, adding that Long An rice has beenavailable in 40 countries and territories, mostly China, the Philippines,Indonesia, and Malaysia. It has also been shipped to foreign markets with highstandards, such as the Netherlands, the UK, the Republic of Korea, Spain, the CzechRepublic and Israel.
There is plenty of room for Long An, Vietnam and Gaboneseprovinces to expand trade of rice, Thanh stressed.
Manfoumbi said in addition to rice imports, Gabon wants theLong An Department of Industry and Trade and Vietnamese investors andbusinesses to visit the African country to explore its market, climate andconditions for rice production./.
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