They discussed ways to expand co-operation in rice processing and export. 

 

The meeting took place ahead of the inauguration of the association’s representative office in the Việt Nam-Korea Incubator Park in the Trà Nóc 2 Industrial Park on December 13.

 

According to Trương Quang Hoài Nam, vice chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Cần Thơ has become a potential destination for enterprises from the Republic of Korea (RoK) and many firms have decided to invest in the locality. 

 

Notably, Tae Kwang Industrial Co Ltd constructed a US$171.48 million plant to produce semi-finished sport shoes in the Hưng Phú 2B Industrial Park in Cái Răng District. 

 

The RoK government also invested in many large projects in Cần Thơ, such as the Việt Nam-Korea Incubator Park in the Trà Nóc 2 Industrial Park and a water supply plant in Vĩnh Thành District, Nam said. 

 

For his part, Kim Nam Doo, chairman of the Korean Food and Rice Association, said the establishment of the association’s representative office in Cần Thơ was a strategic decision as the city is a food and rice centre in the Mekong Delta region. 

 

The office would serve as a bridge promoting partnership between Vietnamese food firms and member enterprises of the association in the future, he affirmed. 

 

Cần Thơ boasts of having 115,000ha of agricultural land, 90,000 ha of which is for rice cultivation. Cần Thơ produces 1.4 million tonnes of rice, with over one million tonnes being shipped abroad every year through 26 rice export enterprises.

 

The city’s export turnover to the RoK is estimated to hit $30.3 million in 2016, while import value will be $4.2 million.