Sierra Leon seeks agriculture, digital expertise from Vietnam

Sierra Leon has signed agreements in agriculture and digital transformation with Vietnam’s partners during the first-ever state visit paid to Hanoi by President Julius Maada Bio.

Vietnam’s FPT Corporation and Siera Leon sign agreement on digital transformation on Mar 16. Photo: FPT

On March 16, an agreement on digital transformation and digital manpower training was signed by Sierra Leona Chief Minister Jacob Jusu Saffa and Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of Vietnam’s FPT Corporation.

The agreement was reached one day after President Bio and high-ranking Sierra Leona officials visited FPT Corporation headquarters in the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, west of Hanoi.

This is the first agreement signed between FPT and a foreign country, affirming the company’s capability and global position in the face that the company strives to enter the Top 50 leading digital transformation service providers in the world.

Accordingly, FPT will coordinate with the world’s leading consulting firms to counsel the Government of Sierra Leone on socio-economic development and digital transformation strategies. At the same time, the company supports the building of digital government, digital economy, and digital society.

In human resource training, FPT will provide high-quality Bachelor of Technology programs in Vietnam to talented students selected and funded by the Government of Sierra Leone.

The agreement with FPT is in line with Sierra Leon’s digital transformation and innovation strategy for 2019-2029 with three pillars namely digital identity, digital economy, and digital government.

FPT, with more than 30 years of experience in Vietnam and globally, is currently a strategic consulting partner in the technology/digital transformation of leading domestic and international corporations and organizations. Meanwhile, FPT Education covers elementary, middle and high school, college, undergraduate to post-graduate education, international affiliate programs, international student training, and short-term training programs for enterprises.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, FPT Chairman Truong Gia Binh said: “Two fields of Vietnam’s strong support for Sierra Leon could be high-quality education and training and technology-based agriculture.”

Sierra Leon and the Vietnam Academy of Agriculture Sciences (VAAS) sign MOU on agriculture. Photo: VNA

Agriculture

On the same day, Sierra Leon inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Vietnam Academy of Agriculture Sciences (VAAS) on aquaculture.

Under the agreement, VAAS will exchange genetic resources of plant varieties, selection and creation of plant strains, ecological agriculture, microorganisms, plant protection, agricultural product value chains, technology transfer, and agricultural extension.

The cooperation model would be bilateral or trilateral with the participation of international development, advanced industrial nations, or the private sector.

During the week-long visit by President Julius Maada Bio, agriculture becomes the key pillar in bilateral cooperation, opening up a new chapter for the economic ties.

Vietnam is famous for its aquaculture expertise. According to VAAS Director Nguyen Hong Son, the academy is cooperating with 33 countries and 66 international organizations.

The academy’s rice varieties are cultivated in 59% of Vietnam’s paddy land and 77% of the Mekong Delta’s.

Sharing at the signing ceremony, President Bio said the similarities in weather and soil between Vietnam and Sierra Leon have boosted the African country’s interest in agricultural cooperation with Vietnam, contributing to its food security and further development. 

Sierra Leon's President Julius Maada Bio and FPT Corporation Chairman Truong Gia Binh.

Sierra Leon's President Julius Maada Bio visits FPT headquarters in Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park, Hanoi on Mar 15. Photo: FPT