The Ambassador stated that Viet Nam can share their best practices, knowledge and technology transfer, in particular. Minister Gunawardena emphasized areas such as the canning industry, especially fish canning, fish feed production, which are areas that Viet Nam can offer assistance to Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Pham ThiBich Ngoc further said that such collaboration in the fisheries sector will no doubt contribute in uplifting rural, fishing, and fish farming in Batticaloa and Mullaithivu. Discussing further on agricultural sector cooperation, the Ambassador underscored that there is much potential in coffee, pepper and rubber, where Viet Nam can provide know how for cultivation. They both agreed that in order to advance trade relations between the two countries, it is important to pursue a Preferential Trade Agreement.
Minister Gunawardena emphasized the importance of strengthening ties in areas of tourism, democracy and education cooperation. Moreover, the Minister referred to close connections that Sri Lanka had with the Leader of Viet Nam, Ho Chi Minh and Madame Nguyen Thi Binh, Foreign Minister of the Revolutionary Government of Viet Nam who worked closely with Sri Lanka in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
The Minister highlighted the importance of partnership in amity in international platforms to overcome national security threats. The Ambassador of Viet Nam expressed their fullest support for Sri Lanka’s bid for Sectoral Dialogue Partnership status in ASEAN.