Vietnam boosts agriculture cooperation with Sierra Leone

Vietnam and Sierra Leone have agreed to boost cooperation in agricultural trading and research and exchange of experts in the field.

The agreement was reached at talks in Hanoi on July 25 between Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu and Sierra Leone Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forest and Food Security Ali Mansaray.

The two sides also agreed to build a research centre for developing rice varieties in Sierra Leone with financial support from Egypt.

At the talks, Deputy Minister Thu said Vietnam has sent agricultural expert Vo Tong Xuan to develop the rice research centre in Sierra Leone and will send an additional five experts to the country in August to lay the groundwork for building a cooperative programme on rice and seafood production between the two countries.

For his part, Ali Mansaray confirmed that Sierra Leone considers Vietnam as a top partner and it will create favourable conditions for Vietnamese experts, as well as receive skilled Vietnamese workers to the country.

He also said that Sierra Leone will allow Vietnam to rent land for growing rice, vegetables and industrial crops for export to European and African countries.

The country will also give priority to importing goods from Vietnam, he said. – VOV

Tags: Vietnam Sierra Leone cooperation