Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal who is in Vietnam visit met several top leaders of Vietnam government and discussed economic and other bilateral issues to boost agriculture, trade and commerce in Assam, on Monday. Discussions were held on strengthening relations with focus on Act East policy. The CM also urged for the commencement of direct flights from Hanoi to Guwahati.
Sonowal held separate discussions with deputy minister of agriculture and rural development, government of Socialist Republic of Vietnam Ha Cong Tuan, chairman of Vietnam’s external relations commission Hoang Binh Quan and vice-chairman of central economic commission Cao Duc Phat at Hanoi in Vietnam.
The CM was accompanied by state agriculture minister Atul Bora and 13 MLAs during the meetings.
Sonowal led delegation’s exposure tour has been undertaken in the right stead to get the first hand exposure of the farm practice of Vietnam and to take inputs for revitalizing the agriculture sector of the state.
Chief minister Sonowal in presence of the agriculture minister Atul Bora discussed with the deputy agriculture minister Ha Cong Tuan regarding utilizing the modern technology and expertise of Vietnam farmers to help farmers of Assam to double their income.
During discussion, Sonowal appreciated the advancements that Vietnam has made in the field of paddy cultivation and requested the deputy minister of agriculture to extend his country’s support in improving the agriculture production in Assam. He also informed Tuan about the state government’s initiatives to double farmers’ income in the state.
The Vietnam minister also shared the country’s success stories in the agriculture sector during the discussion and how modern technology and advanced farmer friendly techniques helped agricultural growth in the country.
He also assured Sonowal to look into the issues raised by him positively to help the state government’s efforts for doubling the farmers’ income.
The CM during his discussions with the vice-chairman of central economic commission Cao Duc Phat requested him to take steps for setting up a consulate office of the Vietnam government in Guwahati and organizing cultural and youth exchange program.
On the other hand, during his meeting with the chairman of external relations commission Hoang Binh Quan, Sonowal mentioned about the thrust given to the north eastern region of India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through Act East Policy and different infrastructural advancements being made in recent years.
He also emphasised on strengthening connectivity between Hanoi and Guwahati to promote tourism and trade.
Earlier, Sonowal visited Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Science, where the officials made a presentation on Vietnam’s agriculture, agricultural extension programme and research being carried out in the field of agriculture. The CM also made a field visit of the vegetable farm of the academy to see the farming systems in that country.
