HÀ NỘI — Forty-nine contracts were signed during the two-day regional conference on food security in Hà Nội, which ended Thursday, the Netherlands’ deputy minister of agriculture Marjolijn Sonnema said.

The Netherlands has three major contracts, which includes a commitment to an investment package worth 150,000 EUR (US$ 162,000) to develop a seafood index and governance, thereby supporting seafood companies in Asia towards achieving sustainability in aquaculture, Sonnema said.

The European nation will also help Việt Nam implement a project aimed at cutting down post-harvest losses. Both countries will also sign a protocol on enhancing co-operation in food security, she said.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyễn Xuân Cường said the conference focused on steps to promote co-operation between countries to overcome challenges, on creating a sustainable agricultural sector, and on contributing to ensure food security and safety amidst climate change.

At a press conference in the Capital on Thursday, Sonnema said her country, with its experience, expertise, technology and capacity, can help Việt Nam build a sustainable agricultural sector.

She spoke about the common grounds the two countries have to enhance co-operation in agricultural development - both sides export agricultural products and both face challenges caused by climate change, especially in water management for agricultural production.

During the Dutch minister’s four-day visit to Việt Nam, from March 20 to 23, many events were arranged to boost partnership between Vietnamese and Dutch enterprises, laying the foundation for strengthening economic and trade links between the two countries in the future. — VNS