HCM City pushes for trade cooperation with southern provinces                                   HCM City authorities have started a new programme to introduce agricultural products from 20 neighbouring provinces into the city's supermarkets.    Ben Tre Coconut candy on display at supermarkets The programme was started on November 7 by the departments of industry and trade in HCM City and 20 neighouring provinces. This is a part of a larger trade and services cooperation agreement between Ho Chi Minh City, the Southern-Eastern regions and the Mekong Delta for the period 2011-2015. Through the programme, the local departments of industry and trade will be able to take into account suggestions and act as a bridge to solve any problems between producers and distributors. Agricultural products, especially those that meet VietGAP standards, will be given priority in supermarkets. "Since the first cooperative programme was successfully completed in 2012, there have been 21 provinces in the southern region that have rejoined. In addition, 10 enterprises and several distributors based in the north have also registered to our programme," said Le Ngoc Dao, Vice Director of the HCM City Department of Industry and Trade. "This year, we've sent all information about producers and their products to the distributors so they can easily choose and sign contracts." In order to attract customers, the distributors and local provincial authorities will continue to help producers promote and improve their products. After the first programme, several products sold very well, such as coconut candies from Ben Tre and Hong Sen Tuu wine from Dong Thap Province. "In near future, we, along with the Saigon Union of Trading Co-operative, will hold a conference to discuss about promotion and development for local commodities." Dao said. Other provinces in the southern region will also begin to hold similar cooperative programmes to stabilise market prices and create more jobs.  Source: nguoilaodong