During a farewell call on Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena this week, the Ambassador of Viet Nam in Colombo, Pham ThiBich Ngoc endorsed that Sri Lanka and Vietnam have immense potential for cooperation in the agriculture and fisheries sectors while recognizing the importance of a Preferential Trade Agreement to improve trade relations.
The Ambassador offered Sri Laka Vietnam’s best practices, knowledge, and technology transfer, in particular.
Minister Gunawardena emphasized areas such as the canning industry, especially fish canning, fish feed production which are areas that Viet Nam can offer assistance to Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Pham ThiBich Ngoc further said that such collaboration in the fisheries sector will no doubt contribute to uplifting rural fishing, and fish farming in Batticaloa and Mullaithivu.
Discussing further agricultural sector cooperation, the Ambassador underscored that there is much potential in coffee, pepper, and rubber, where Viet Nam can provide know-how for cultivation.
They both have agreed that in order to advance trade relations between the two countries, it is important to pursue a Preferential Trade Agreement.
Minister Gunawardena further emphasized the importance of strengthening ties in areas of tourism, democracy, and education cooperation.
Moreover, the Minister referred to close connections that Sri Lanka had with the great leader of Viet Nam Ho Chi Minh and Madame Nguyen Thi Binh, Foreign Minister of the Revolutionary Government of Vietnam who worked closely with Sri Lanka in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
The Minister also highlighted the importance of partnership in amity in international platforms to overcome national security threats. The Ambassador of Viet Nam expressed their fullest support for Sri Lanka’s bid for Sectoral Dialogue Partnership status in ASEAN.