The Province of Davao Oriental has formally signified its intent to have a sisterhood agreement with Hau Giang province, the biggest rice-producing province in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
President and Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, His Excellency Vuong Dinh Hue, in a special meeting with Davao Oriental Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon in Manila on Thursday, November 24, expressed his strong support for the proposed sisterhood agreement as he believes it would help bolster trade and collaboration that will significantly benefit both territories.
Aside from Hau Giang Province, Chairman Dinh Hue also offered other provinces in Vietnam to become sister provinces with Davao Oriental, noting that this would also benefit all territories involved, particularly in expanding businesses to cater to the growing international markets.
This proposition was warmly welcomed by Governor Malanyaon, noting this would be an opportunity for the provinces involved to expand their markets and strengthen ties.
“I believe that with the opening of our country and provincial economies post-covid, we should be aggressive in pursuing economic cooperation so that we can complement and supplement each other for development,” Governor Malanyaon told Chairman Hue.
Governor Malanyaon thanked the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for the opportunity for sisterhood as it would help improve the local economy and make a massive dent in the province’s poverty incidence.
She said her province has always admired Vietnam because of its fast-growing economy and many innovations, especially in agriculture.
Recently, Governor Malanyaon sent Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Edito Sumile to Vietnam, facilitated by Chinese businessman Mr. Donny Yeung, to explore potential areas where the provinces can cooperate.
Some areas for cooperation identified include exchanges on experiences on economic development, agricultural products trade and agricultural investments cooperation, and cultural and educational cooperation.
With Vietnam’s competence and technical experience in agricultural development, it has a promising capacity to help develop Davao Oriental’s vast potentials and competitive advantages.
These potentials include its strategic location in the Southeastern most of the country, making it the gateway to the Pacific. It has a resource-rich provincial economy with diverse agricultural resources such as rice, coconut, cacao, coffee, banana, and abaca.
It has the longest coastline and is strategically located along the tuna highway, which makes it abundant in marine resources. It is also blessed with natural tourism sites ranging from white sand beaches, mountain ranges, majestic waterfalls, caves, lakes and rivers. And one of its mountain ranges, the Hamiguitan Mountain Range is a UNESCO-declared World Heritage Site for its diversity of flora and fauna. It also has the beautiful Pujada Bay, along with two other bays declared recently as one of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World.
Amidst all these potentials, Governor Malanyaon believes that more investments and economic partnerships are needed to develop the full potential of these resources. “We hope that the sisterhood agreement will be a step toward the mutual development and growth of the two provinces of Davao Oriental and Hau Giang,” said Governor Malanyaon.
The Provincial Government of Davao Oriental and the Hau Giang Province in Vietnam are set to formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cement the agreement.
Also present during the meeting was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam To The Philippines, His Excellency Huang Huy Chong, and officials from different government agencies in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The delegation from the province of Davao Oriental includes Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Edito Sumile, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Maria Belenda Ambi, DTI Provincial Director Art Hermoso, Technical Consultant Mr. Dashiel Indelible, Sr., and private sector representative Louie Rabat By Karen Lou Deloso | Photos by Mark Oliver Alvite
