Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) paying courtesy call to city leader.

Professor Dr. Andreas Stoffers, Country Director of Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), together with Dr. Pham Hung Tien, Deputy Director of FNF, has just had a meeting with Can Tho City leader on the cooperation between FNF and Can Tho. Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Duong Tan Hien hosted the meeting; accompanied him were representatives of Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Planning and Investment, Friendship Organizations Association, and Can Tho Investment Promotion Agency.

FNF is a German non-governmental organization, founded in 1958. In Vietnam, FNF office came into effect in 2012. FNF Vietnam has had several dialogue programs, conferences, and academic exchanges between Vietnam and Germany in education and training, open society and digitalization, the future of market economy, and international integration. In the period of 2014 to 2016, FNF worked with 4 major Vietnamese partners, including Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research (VEPR), and Vietnam Institute of Economics (VIE) to carry out a profound research on the development of Vietnamese market economy; as a result, it provided policy recommendations so that the country could achieve a completed market economy. In addition, FNF also works with Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to implement projects and organize exchanges in international economic integration. 5 days ago, with the witness of German Ambassador to Vietnam, FNF and MOFA signed a Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration in international integration and market economy development.

In this visit to Can Tho City, FNF would also work with VCCI Can Tho to select few enterprises in Mekong Delta area to participate in a project related to Europe-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). With that, FNF will work with VCCI, EuroCham, German Chamber of Commerce, and the Embassy of Poland in Vietnam to select and provide support to 2-3 local enterprises in technology transfer and entering into European market.

Besides activities in international integration and market economy, FNF Country Director also mentioned the fact that 2020 marks the 45^th anniversary of Vietnam – Germany diplomatic relations and 9^th anniversary on Vietnam – Germany strategic partnership. FNF would cooperate with Can Tho City to organize appropriate activities in the context of COVID-19.

Vice Chairman Duong Tan Hien highly appreciated the collaboration between FNF and Vietnam, especially the project supporting local enterprises in the context of EVFTA. The Vice Chairman stated that Can Tho City had more than 84% of land for agricultural activities, with the strengths in rice, aquaculture, fruits, and textile. Recently, the city has collaborated with Ministry of Industry and Trade to organize online conference to help enterprises learn more about EVFTA, and find ways to enter European market. Apart from the export into Europe, the Vice Chairman also hoped the import of European products would be enhanced.