Philippines Remains Vietnam's Biggest Rice Importer
	Philippines Seeks Stronger Rice Cooperation with Vietnam

At the meeting, Giang Thanh Khoa said that besides the agricultural economy of rice production and aquaculture, Kien Giang also has strengths in tourism with 4 key tourist areas including: Phu Quoc, Ha Tien - Kien Luong, Rach Gia - Kien Hai, U Minh Thuong. The province also has Rach Gia domestic airport and Phu Quoc international airport, especially Phu Quoc island tourism with a system of famous entertainment areas; with the road has a national highway connecting to Ha Tien international border gate that can go to neighboring Cambodia.

Giang Thanh Khoa (right), Vice Chairman of Kien Giang Provincial People's Committee, presented a souvenir to Mr. Meynardo LB. Montealegre - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to Vietnam.

Giang Thanh Khoa reports that Kien Giang province has successfully collaborated with Philippine counterparts in sectors like trade and education in recent times.

Currently, Kien Giang has 4 enterprises exporting to the Philippine market. In the first 6 months of 2024, export turnover to the Philippine market reached USD 13.25 million (up 92.31% over the same period), mainly rice and surimi. In education, in 2023, Kien Giang University signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance scientific and teaching cooperation under the lecturer and student exchange program with Sorsogon State University (Philippines).

Delegates take photos at the meeting.

The leaders of Kien Giang province hope that in the coming time, the Ambassador will continue to act as a bridge to promote cooperation between Philippine businesses and Kien Giang businesses in introducing products and seeking cooperation opportunities; at the same time, strengthen cooperation in exporting some of the province's strengths to the Philippine market such as: rice, seafood, fish sauce and vice versa. The two sides also need to promote investment cooperation in the tourism sector; increase experience sharing in the fields of aquaculture, exploitation, protection and development of aquatic resources, etc.

Appreciating the warm welcome of the leaders of Kien Giang province, Meynardo LB. Montealegre affirmed that with the advantage of being a coastal province, Kien Giang will strongly develop its marine economy in the coming time; especially, in the near future, Kien Giang will be the locality that supplies a large amount of rice for export to the Philippine market.

He also committed to acting as a bridge to introduce the advantages and investment opportunities of Kien Giang province to Philippine enterprises and vice versa, as well as being ready to support, introduce, and connect colleges and universities between Kien Giang province and the Philippines to cooperate in scientific research, education and training.

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