Rome - South-South Cooperation accord signed at FAO

Vietnamese experts will help Chad implement a series of activities aimed at improving the African country's food security under a tripartite South-South Cooperation agreement signed here today.

The activities, which involve irrigation for rice growing and horticulture, increased cereals production, artisanal fishing, bee-keeping and food processing, are part of Chad's five-year, $200 million National Programme for Food Security, which FAO helped design.

Fifteen Vietnamese experts and technicians will help Chad implement the activities over two years. The $2 million in costs will be covered by Chad through a trust fund established with FAO, which will also be providing technical assistance.

Today's agreement was signed by José M. Sumpsi, Assistant Director-General in charge of FAO's Technical Cooperation Department and by H.E. Dang Khanh Thoai, Vietnam's Ambassador to FAO. Chad had previously signed it separately.