The state-run Korea Rural Community Corp. opened its Vietnamese branch in Hanoi Friday in a bid to draw attention to agriculture-related development projects in the emerging Southeast Asian country, the company said.

Vietnamese Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Cao Duc Phat and senior officials from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization attended the opening ceremony.

“The Hanoi branch will spur entry into agricultural infrastructure building projects including agricultural water development projects,” KRC CEO Lee Sang-mu said.

Newly appointed Lee, former chairman of Korea FAO Association, has comprehensive understanding of the Vietnamese agricultural sector as he served as an agricultural policy adviser for Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang.

(jyseo@heraldcorp.com)