18 cooperation agreements between Vietnam and the Netherlands are signed at the Mekong Delta Business Forum on March 21, 2024.

The two sides will build small-scale shrimp and pangasius farming cooperatives in Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Ca Mau, and Bac Lieu province, and businesses from Vietnam and the Netherlands will cooperate in aquaculture in mangrove forests in the Mekong Delta, launch a sustainable mangrove shrimp farming facility, and build a food supply chain to meet the growing demand in Europe.

Collaborative projects aim to create new business opportunities, generate jobs, promote sustainable economic development, balance aquaculture with mangrove conservation, benefit ecosystems and communities, and actualize the strategic partnership in water conservation and climate adaptation between Vietnam and the Netherlands.

"All 18 cooperation agreements focus on technology issues, logistics, and value chains. We value our cooperation with the Netherlands, a country with a lot of experience in water and land management that can help the Mekong Delta develop its agriculture, logistics, and international trade," said Nguyen Phuong Lam, director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Can Tho.

The Forum is one activity within the framework of the Vietnam visit of the 140-member Dutch business delegation led by Christianne van der Wal-Zeggelink, Minister of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality, and Mark Harbes, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management.