Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay announced on Thursday that a six-year strategic partnership on rice trade and agricultural information exchanges had been agreed between the Philippines and Vietnam.
Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said President Rodrigo Duterte, during his visit to Vietnam, has agreed with Vietnam’s President Tran Dai Quang, “to level up the trade” that the two countries already have, CNN Philippines reported.
“At least we have an assurance that Vietnam will help us with the supply. Walang agreement pinirmahan [There was no agreement signed] at least for the next two years, but there is a mutual understanding that rice requirements that we would have can be supplied also from Vietnam,” Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez told the media.
Lopez added that Duterte himself also requested Vietnamese president for cooperation “to consider importing products from the Philippines as we import rice from Vietnam.”
“The President actually thanked the President of Vietnam for really providing a good, you know, a good environment for the Filipino workers here in Vietnam. So nagpasalamat ang ating Presidente din doon,” Lopez said. “And of course, ganon din ‘yung gina-guarantee niya sa mga pupunta rin sa bansa natin.” [He also guarantees the same for those who will go to our country.]
He also added in the report that Vietnam promised to keep on exporting quality rice to the Philippines.
Apart from agricultural ties, construction, and oil and gas exploration would also comprise the partnership agreement.
Source: http://foodevolution.com.ph
Key words : Vietnam, PH, to enter, strategic partnership, on agriculture.
