HCM City looks to enhance partnerships with AstraZeneca
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai on April 12 received Pascal Soriot, CEO of the UK-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology company AstraZeneca, who is on a visit to the southern metropolis of Vietnam to discuss ways for fostering bilateral cooperation.
Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai (R) meets with CEO of AstraZeneca Pascal Soriot on April 12. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh CityPeople’s Committee Phan Van Mai on April 12 received Pascal Soriot, CEO of theUK-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology company AstraZeneca, who is on avisit to the southern metropolis of Vietnam to discuss ways for fosteringbilateral cooperation.
Welcoming his guest, Mai said as HCM City grows into science - technology and healthcare centre of Vietnam and the region, it can workwith AstraZeneca to augment ties in health-related scientific research.
He held that the two sides share common developmentorientations and boast much cooperation potential. Given this, they shouldconsider cooperation programmes early, especially in the fieldsmatching his city’s priority and AstraZeneca’s strength such as developing a medicalresearch centre, vaccines, biologicals, and medical equipment.
HCM City pledges to create the best possible conditions forscientific research, startups, and businesses in this regard, and hopes to receive the firm’s assistance and experience inbuilding relevant regulations and policies, he said.
Appreciating AstraZeneca’s support for Vietnam inCOVID-19 prevention and control, he highly valued the company’s vaccine, whichhas helped the city and other localities of Vietnam to overcome the pandemic.
HCM City hopes that aside from business partnerships,AstraZeneca will increase other cooperation activities to help boost the localhealthcare sector. As an economic hub closely connected with economic regionsof Vietnam and Southeast Asia, it is always open to international investors,Mai added.
Givingan introduction of his firm, Soriot said AstraZenecaand HCM City share a common development vision and major cooperationopportunities.
The company is ready to cooperate with HCM City in the areasof shared concern such as biochemical research and biological productmanufacturing. It is also willing to help the city carry out advancedhealthcare solutions to contribute to local development, he went on.
AstraZenec also wishes and pledges to coordinate closely withHCM City in sharing experience, improving cooperation effectiveness, anddeveloping pharmaceuticals, biochemical products, and vaccines, the CEO said./.
The Ministry of Health and AstraZeneca Vietnam on March 8 signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation under which they will work with partners to promote existing and new programmes to improve public awareness of diseases, prevention, and early detection.
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Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai (R) meets with CEO of AstraZeneca Pascal Soriot on April 12. (Photo: VNA) 
