Provincial Vision and Institutional Support
During the reception, Chairman Tran Ngoc Tam provided a comprehensive overview of the province's socio-economic landscape. He expressed profound gratitude for Canada's strategic intervention through the Vietnam Cooperative Enterprise Development (VCED) project. This initiative, supported by Global Affairs Canada, has provided practical solutions for structural challenges within the local agricultural sector.
The provincial leadership emphasized strong confidence in the Ben Tre Green Skin Pomelo Cooperative's capacity to drive socio-economic development, particularly as the cooperative prepares to launch its new processing facility. Looking forward, Chairman Tam proposed continued collaboration with Ambassador Deborah Paul on targeted projects aimed at:
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Providing capital support for low-income households to diversify livelihoods.
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Implementing robust climate change adaptation frameworks.
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Promoting gender equality and empowering women in rural economies.
Commitment to ESG and Inclusive Economic Growth
Acknowledging the warm reception from the provincial leaders, Ambassador Deborah Paul highlighted the enduring and fruitful diplomatic ties between Canada and Vietnam. She highly commended the recent milestones achieved by the Ben Tre Green Skin Pomelo Cooperative.
The Ambassador noted that the cooperative’s success validates the efficacy of Canada’s targeted support. By adhering to rigorous international standards and sustainable practices, the Ben Tre facility now serves as a scalable benchmark—a powerful lever for the development of other agricultural cooperatives across the nation.
Reaffirming Canada's commitment, Ambassador Paul pledged ongoing support to enhance the sustainable livelihoods of Ben Tre's residents, with a specific strategic focus on empowering female farmers within the sustainable agriculture coop Vietnam network.