Ambassador of the French Republic to Vietnam works with the province’s leadership

Mr. Oliver Brochet, Ambassador of the French Republic to Vietnam and the Foreign Experts Corps from the French Development Agency (AFD) paid a working visit in the province on May 18th.

Speaking with the delegation, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People Council Duong Hoang Huong affirmed the good and growing relations between the two countries of Vietnam and France. Phu Tho has paid a working visit in France in the past. There are four French non-governmental organizations operating in the fields of agriculture, education, social welfare, etc. with a total of USD174,297 in the area.

Standing Vice Chairman Duong Hoang Huong gifted Mr. Ambassador of Phu Tho’s OCOP products.

In order to strengthen the relationship of cooperation between Phu Tho province and its local partners in France, tStanding Vice Chairman Duong Hoang Huong suggested the Ambassador and the head of AFD to invite French corporations and enterprises to study the market, find opportunities to invest in the industrial parks of the province and invest in infrastructure construction in cultural and tourism development projects in the tourist district of Ao Châu Lagoon, Xuan Son National Park, etc. To facilitate access to the French market in general and Caen city in particular. To organize conferences to promote investment and trade with the participation of from both sides in order to search for new, effective and practical investment opportunities.

In addition, he was interested in organizing high-level exchanges, visiting and exploring the real situation, seeking opportunities for cooperation between Phu Tho and Caen; coordinating the organization of artistic cultural exchange activities, promoting tourism, people exchange and the organizations and associations of the two localities; connecting, creating opportunities for collaboration in the fields of education and health.

Mr. Oliver Brochet said that he was delighted with the development and natural beauty, the long history and culture of the province, and affirmed that Phu Tho had a good relationship with many of its French partners through projects sponsored by France.

The Ambassador of the French Republic to Vietnam referred to the development strategies of tourism and promotion of cultural values - the strengths of France. At the same time, affirmed the willingness to exchange, discuss, support Phu Tho research, promote tourism development, preserve and protect the traditional values of the land of Vietnamese ethnic origin; will seek and mobilize partners from the localities of France to explore cooperation and investment opportunities in the province.

Speaking at the meeting, AFD Deputy Director General Marie-Hélène Loison, gave an overview of the AFD Loan Development Project, approved in 2005, and launched in August 2006. She said in the coming years, the AFD will continue to cooperate, supporting Vietnam in general and the Phu Tho province in particular in programmes related to agriculture, climate change, etc.

Thuy Trang