Jan 13, Colombo: During a farewell call on Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Tuesday, the Ambassador of Viet Nam in Colombo, Pham Thi Bich Ngoc endorsed that Sri Lanka and Viet Nam have immense potential for cooperation in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

The Ambassador stated that Vietnam can share their best practices, knowledge and technology transfer, in particular. Minister Gunawardena emphasized areas such as the canning industry, especially fish canning, fish feed production which are areas that Viet Nam can offer assistance to Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Pham Thi Bich Ngoc further said that such collaboration in the fisheries sector will no doubt contribute in uplifting rural fishing, and fish farming in Batticaloa and Mullaitivu.

Discussing further on agricultural sector cooperation, the Ambassador underscored that there is much potential in coffee, pepper and rubber, where Viet Nam can provide know how for cultivation. They both agreed that in order to advance trade relations between the two countries, it is important to pursue a Preferential Trade Agreement.

Minister Gunawardena emphasized the importance of strengthening ties in areas of tourism, democracy and education cooperation. Moreover, the Minister referred to close connections that Sri Lanka had with the great leader of Viet Nam Ho Chi Minh and Madame Nguyen Thi Binh, Foreign Minister of the Revolutionary Government of Vietnam who worked closely with Sri Lanka in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

The Minister highlighted the importance of partnership in amity in international platforms to overcome national security threats. The Ambassador of Viet Nam expressed their fullest support for Sri Lanka’s bid for Sectoral Dialogue Partnership status in ASEAN.

Sri Lanka and Vietnam celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2020. Vietnam and Sri Lanka have enjoyed deep rooted friendly relations for centuries.