The Mekong Delta province of An Giang plans to shake hands withNetherlands firms to expand export markets for its fruits and farmproducts.

During a working session with VietnamTrade House and Padfood companies from the Netherlands on March 3,Doan Ngoc Pha, deputy head of the provincial Department of Agricultureand Rural Development, said the province is planning to expand its maizecultivation area to supply the Netherlands .

Hesaid with high quality varieties created from those from the US andSwitzerland growing in over 11,000 hectares, the province can guaranteethe origin and quality of its maize and maize products.

Meanwhile, Theo Thiam The, General Director of the Padfood company,said his firm will coordinate with An Giang in developing material areafor maize powder processing.

The company will workwith An Giang University to conduct research on maize varieties to suitthe markets of the Netherlands and Europe as well.

According to Theo Thiam The, his company plans to import fresh fruitsfor retails chains in the Netherlands and will study the purchase ofmango from An Giang.

Pham Hai, General Director ofthe Vietnam Trade House said sample products from An Giang have receivedgood feedback from Netherlands customers.

He proposed that local firms renovate their sale and delivery methods to gain easier access to the Netherlands market.

According to Vuong Binh Thanh, Chairman of the An Giang People’sCommittee, the province has assigned the Department of Agriculture andRural Development and Antesco company as contact points for maize andmango export.

The province will also offer loanswith preferential interest rates to local firms which wish to broadentheir production of for-export products, while sending its experts tothe Netherlands for experience-sharing trips.-VNA