Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Điệp, Vice Chairwoman of the Cần Thơ People’s Committee (right), meets with Italian Consul General in HCM City Alessandra Tognonato on October 12. —  VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Hằng

CẦN THƠ — The Mekong Delta city of Cần Thơ and Italy are seeking to strengthen cooperation in healthcare, climate change response and trade, building on their respective strengths and untapped potential to promote sustainable development and economic ties.

Italian Consul General in HCM City Alessandra Tognonato and her delegation on Monday met with representatives of the Cần Thơ People’s Committee to discuss prospects for cooperation in healthcare and climate change response.

Tognonato said Cần Thơ has gained new development opportunities following the administrative merger, creating greater potential for cooperation. Italian localities and partners are interested in exploring opportunities in the city to strengthen bilateral ties.

Healthcare, particularly public healthcare, is among Italy’s development priorities, she stated, adding Italian experts have also participated in Mekong forums on climate change, sharing expertise and contributing to discussions on related issues.

Italy hopes to introduce more partners and scientific organisations to support Cần Thơ in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development, she noted.

Following its administrative merger with Hậu Giang and Sóc Trăng provinces, Cần Thơ covers approximately 6,360 sq.km and has a population of around 4.2 million. The city has strengths in agriculture, fisheries, processing industries, trade and services, as well as port facilities, an airport and transport networks connecting it with other localities.

These advantages provide a foundation for Cần Thơ to develop into a regional centre for economic activities, trade, logistics and goods distribution.

Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Điệp, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee, said Italy has strengths in high-tech agriculture, transport and logistics, which are also among the city’s investment priorities.

She expressed her hope that the Italian Consul General would help connect Italian partners with Cần Thơ, opening up cooperation opportunities in healthcare, education and climate change response. She also called for stronger business links and trade promotion activities to make better use of the two sides’ economic potential.

Cần Thơ aims to become a regional healthcare centre and needs international partners to support primary healthcare and public health programmes and projects, she said.

According to Điệp, the city has received effective assistance from non-governmental organisations, including medical equipment, medicines and supplies for local healthcare facilities. It also plans to upgrade selected existing hospitals into specialised facilities serving the wider region, in line with the Ministry of Health’s master plan.

Alongside funding from the city and the Government, international resources, including those from Italy, will be important to achieving these goals, she stressed.

In the first eight months of 2026, Cần Thơ’s exports to Italy reached US$3.4 million, while imports totalled $2.1 million.

The city sees significant room for expanding trade and investment ties with Italy. Stronger business connections and trade promotion are expected to help both sides make better use of their respective strengths and build more substantive and sustainable economic cooperation. — VNA/VNS