The event, jointly held by the Can Tho city People’s Committee and the Belgian Embassy in Vietnam, made clear advantages for Vietnamese investors in Belgium’s East Flanders province.

Marc De Buck, Deputy Governor of East Flanders province, affirmed that Vietnam, especially Can Tho province, is a strategic partner of Belgium. Belgium will provide assistance to businesses operating in the fields of aquaculture, processing industry, and scientific research, he said.

Marc De Buck praised the effective cooperation between Belgium and Can Tho over the past three decades, particularly the close link between Can Tho University and Gent University.

He encouraged local businesses to attend the 2014 Accenta International Trade Fair in Belgium, which is considered as the largest consumer goods fair in Europe.

Since Vietnam joined the fair in 2006, the country’s fisheries sector has earned a reputation on the world market. At present, Vietnamese seafood is placed third in terms of global market share.

Pham Sanh Chau, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium, said East Flanders is offering plenty of opportunity for local businesses, including those from the Mekong Delta region, which he said should focus on expanding the scope of product markets and strengthening cooperation with Belgium in the field of education and training.