On May 29, officials from Can Tho city engaged in a working meeting with Eisa Alhammadi, the Chargé d’Affaires of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Vietnam, to discuss potential collaboration opportunities between the two parties.
During the session, Truong Canh Tuyen, the Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, provided insights into the city’s development potential and strategic benefits, particularly in the context of the proposed merger with nearby provinces, Soc Trang and Hau Giang.
Chairman Tuyen pointed out that Can Tho, one of the centrally-administered cities in Vietnam, is strategically located in the heart of the Mekong Delta region, boasting an economic scale exceeding US$5 billion. Following the administrative merger, this figure is projected to surpass US$13 billion.
The region is primarily known for its agricultural production, including significant outputs of rice, seafood, and fruits, which are ideal for Halal processing. Tuyen emphasized the significance of the extensive inland waterways to the city’s economic growth and that of the delta region.
The city aims to enhance partnerships with enterprises from the UAE, especially in Halal-compliant food processing. Local authorities expressed their interest in encouraging UAE companies to consider importing high-quality Vietnamese rice, particularly the renowned ST25 variety.
Eisa Alhammadi, for his part, underscored Vietnam’s role as a vital partner for the UAE within ASEAN, highlighting the substantial advancements in their bilateral relations, particularly following Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to the UAE in October 2024. This visit led to the establishment of a comprehensive partnership and a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA).
The economic connection between the two nations is on a growth trajectory, with bilateral trade expected to exceed US$12 billion by the end of 2024, excluding oil and gas. The UAE recognizes significant potential for increasing trade and investment with Vietnam and invites Vietnamese companies to explore opportunities within the UAE market.
Alhammadi recognized Can Tho’s role as a pivotal economic engine for the Mekong Delta and confirmed that the UAE Embassy is eager to help connect UAE businesses with Can Tho, particularly for ready-to-invest projects.
He expressed the UAE’s intent to collaborate on the cultivation of Basmati rice in Vietnam, aiming to diversify the UAE’s rice sources beyond India and Pakistan to better meet demand in the Middle East.
Regarding the development of the Halal industry, the UAE representatives assured their readiness to assist Can Tho as needed.