Discussion between Department of Foreign Affairs of Bac Giang province with the Embassy of Australia in Vietnam.

(Photo: Thien Quyen)

Welcoming and working with the delegation was Second Secretary cum Consul General of the Embassy of Australia in Vietnam Joel Judge. Assigned by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Bac Giang province Ngo Bien Cuong presented baskets of flower and fruit, a greeting card of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to the Ambassador. He wished the Ambassador and the staff of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam a happy and marry Christmas and New Year.

Mr. Ngo Bien Cuong presents a basket of Luc Nam custard apple to the Embassy (Photo: Thien Quyen).

Mr. Ngo Bien Cuong gave information on the potentials and strengths of Bac Giang province and opportunities to cooperate with Australian partners and markets. In 2020, Bac Giang is the leading province in the country in terms of GRDP growth rate. With convenient road, railway, waterways and aviation systems in connecting regional and international trade, promoting the development of industry, agriculture, tourism and services, Bac Giang is an attractive destination for investment.

Mr. Ngo Bien Cuong presents the flower basket and New Year greeting card of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to the Embassy (Photo: Thien Quyen).

However, Bac Giang province faces several difficulties in accessing the Australian market such as non-tariff barriers (technical barriers), quota, strict regulations on quarantine of Australian partners for Vietnamese agricultural products in general and Bac Giang province in particular. In the province, there is a lack of enterprises having potentials and abilities to export fresh agricultural products and lychees to remote and difficult markets. There has been no optimal solution for long-term preservation. The main preservation technology is temporary chilling, especially for lychee which is seasonal with a short harvest time within just over 1.5. month.

Representative of the Embassy of Australia in Vietnam Joel Judge said that he would pay attention and support to promote the potentials, strengths and investment opportunities of Bac Giang province to Australian partner; introducing Australian enterprises to transfer technologies, share experiences in agricultural development using high technology, agricultural and forestry product processing technologies in the coming time. At the same time, he thanked the provincial and DOFA leaders. Mr. Joel Judge wished provincial leaders, heads and staff of DOFA a healthy, happy and successful new year.

Thảo My (dịch)