Six new agreements were inked between organisations from Viet Nam and Ontario in Canada, including five in education, during a trade promotion event in Ha Noi on Wednesday.

The event, which was held as part of Ontario’s 2017 Business Mission to Viet Nam, witnessed the participation of nearly 60 enterprises from Ontario, which want to seek investment opportunities in the country.

Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne, said she looks forward to a long-term partnership with Viet Nam and the signing of more agreements for co-operation in multiple fields.

Two-way trade between Viet Nam and Ontario reached US$3.1 billion in 2016, a four-fold increase from 2012. Among Viet Nam’s key export items to Ontario included phones and components, fabric, leather footwear and computers.

Can Nguyen, CEO of Nurture Growth, which produces bio-fertiliser products, said his firm has marked its presence in Viet Nam over the past 2-3 years, testing bio-fertilisers in some northern provinces such as Thai Binh and Nam Dinh. Viet Nam has many great fruits but has yet to be able to bring the fruits to foreign markets due to food safety standard issues, he said, blaming this on farmers’ overuse of harmful pesticides, resulting in high residue on the fruits.

The CEO, however, spoke highly about the potential of the country’s agricultural sector and expressed hope over cooperation with local firms in such a promising area.

During the event, leaders from MAPAgri and Hibar System introduced their products and services in animal feed and fast-moving consumer goods. — VNS