Can Tho (VNA) – The strongdiplomatic relations between the US and Vietnam are opening up opportunities forthe two countries’ localities and businesses to connect and seek cooperationopportunities.

The statement was made by US Ambassador toVietnam Daniel Kritenbrink at his working session on June 4 with leaders of theMekong Delta city of Can Tho on investment potential and prospects to boostcollaboration between the city and US agencies, partners and enterprises.

Kritenbrink said US investors want to set upcomprehensive and long-term partnerships with Can Tho as it is the centre ofthe Mekong Delta region.

The US Embassy will support Can Tho andother Mekong Delta localities to gain access to the US’s SustainableAgriculture Programme, he said.

Once joining the programme, Vietnamesebusinesses will have a chance to plant and develop farm produce in the US, andshare and learn from US businesses’ experience in applying technology inproduction, he added.

The diplomat also mentioned cooperationpotential in rice export between the US and Can Tho firms.

According to him, his country is stepping upthe import of new rice varieties from Asia to meet increasing domestic demand.Therefore, Can Tho, with its quality varieties, is a leading choice for USagro-businesses in Vietnam.

In the field of health, the US Embassy willpropose the US Department of Health and Human Services set up an emergencyoperations centre (EOC) in Can Tho. The first EOC in the southern region wasinaugurated in Ho Chi Minh City in August 2017.

If the proposal is accepted, Can Tho willplay an important role in disease studies and coordinate with Ho Chi MinhCity’s EOC in preventing diseases from breaking out in the southern region, hestated.

Regarding environmental production andclimate change response, the embassy will work with relevant offices toorganise a visit for Can Tho’s scientists and researchers on the environment toUS regions which have delta structure similar to the Mekong Delta so as tolearn from the American country’s experience in responding to naturaldisasters, sea intrusion and landslides, Kritenbrink stated.

The delegation will be offered a chance tovisit the US’s research centres and labs to learn how the country appliesadvanced technologies in climate change response, he added.

Chairman of the municipal People’s CommitteeVo Thanh Thong agreed with the US Embassy’s plans and proposals, affirming thatcooperation with the US is a focus of sustainable economic development andinvestment attraction strategies of Can Tho.

Thong committed to further improvinginvestment and business environment by intensifying administrative procedurereform and economic restructuring.

He expressed his hope that the embassy willorganise regular meetings between the city and US businesses and investors.-VNA