Brussels (VNA) – A delegation of the southern province of Long An led by Nguyen Van Duoc, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People's Council, has visited John Cockerill Group, one of the world’s leading providers of efficient and sustainable energy solutions, as part of their recent working trip to Belgium.

Founded in 1817, John Cockerill is a global group based in Belgium, renowned for its advanced technological solutions in the fields of renewable energy, including solar energy, wind power, and green hydrogen.

At the meeting, representatives of the group introduced their standout technologies and ongoing projects they are implementing in various countries.

Pascal Brancart, Director of Business Development at John Cockerill, stated that Vietnam, with a 3,200 km coastline, holds significant potential for the development of renewable energy.

The group has implemented several cooperation agreements in Vietnam, including a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Innovation Centre (NIC) in areas such as green hydrogen, biomass fuel, and high-efficiency cooling technologies, and an MoU with the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre regarding the production of activated carbon from coconut husks. Brancart said that John Cockerill has strong interest in expanding its operations in Vietnam. In the renewable energy sector, the group aims to invest in the production of green hydrogen and biomass fuel. In the steel industry, the company is looking to apply advanced technologies to improve production processes and enhance efficiency, thus meeting Vietnam’s sustainable economic development needs.

Introducing Long An’s advantages, Duoc said that the province borders Ho Chi Minh City, and Tay Ninh, Dong Thap, and Tien Giang provinces, and serves as a gateway connecting Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta. With this unique position, Long An has the potential to become a hub for international cooperation, particularly in renewable energy.

Companies from Belgium provide a solid foundation for economic activities in Long An, with their strengths in high-tech agriculture, renewable energy, and sustainable development, they align well with the province’s development goals.

As it has a significant demand for clean energy development to meet economic growth needs, the province hopes that the Belgian company will become a key strategic partner. This is important for the development of biomass power projects using locally available materials, as well as in the research and development of hydrogen energy and technological cooperation in the LNG plant project in Can Giuoc district, Duoc said.

With these directions, the provincial leader proposed John Cockerill explore the opportunity to invest in the first electrolysis plant in Vietnam, to be located in Long An. The province is committed to providing maximum support and is ready to collaborate with the group, relevant central agencies, and financial partners to make this project a reality, he added.

𒐪 On this occasion, the Long An delegation met with representatives of the Vietnamese Business Association in Belgium (VBAB) and the Belgian-Vietnamese Alliance (BVA)./.