VIETNAM, JAPAN CAN BOOST AGRICULTURAL COOPERATION VIA PRIVATE CHANNELS

By HONGVAN

(SGT-HCMC) Head of a non-government organization named Japan - Vietnam Technology and Agriculture Cooperation Network (Javitan) said yesterday his organization would work to boost agricultural cooperation via private channels in the two countries. "Beside the cooperation at governmental level which has long been existed, we want Javitan to become a span connecting organizations, enterprises, and individuals in the agricultural sector of the two countries," said President Nguyen Tri Dung, a Japanese VietKieu. He was speaking at a ceremony to mark the operation of the Vietnam- Japan Friendship Cell at Minh Tran Co., Ltd., also owned by Dung. The ceremony was joined by representatives of the Japan General Consulate, the city government, and Japanese-invested companies. Formed in April last year, Javitan has lured more than 50 university professors and experts of the two countries who are willing to help Vietnam develop agriculture. Together with Minh Tran, Javitan introduces Japanese farm experts to plantations and rural areas in Vietnam to help farmers approach new farming technology and give advice on markets, especially Japan. "We are working out a plan to set up a sample plantation where Japanese experts can share their experience," Dung told the Daily. "We are also seeking Japanese benefactors to grant scholarships to bring children of Vietnamese farmers to Japan to study about agriculture." Dung's Minh Tran Company, which make garments and electronic products, and is involved in information technology, was established in HCMC eight years ago. Minh Tran has also been a span connecting local businessmen with Japan via the Japan-based NICD, which also belongs to Dung.