HCM City, UK agree to enhance trade, investment ties
Ho Chi Minh City and the UK should strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Phan Van Mai said on March 16.
HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City and the UKshould strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, Chairman of themunicipal People’s Committee Phan Van Mai said on March 16.
The collaboration should focus on the exchange ofexperience in building legal mechanisms, the implementation of a project onbuilding the HCM City financial centre, the establishment of an innovation centreof HCM City, first in health care, and the research and manufacturing ofdrugs and medical equipment, Mai told Mark Garnier, the British Prime Minister's Trade Envoyfor Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Brunei.
The official stressed that HCM City benefits from good relations between Vietnam and the UK, and that the city wishes to worktogether with the UK to step up trade activities to soon fulfill the target ofraising bilateral trade to 1 billion USD right in 2023 when the twocountries celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
HCM City will coordinate with the British ConsulateGeneral in the city and British partners to implement the agreements,contributing to consolidating and promoting the Vietnam-UK relations, he affirmed.
For his part, Garnier expressed his impression on thedynamism and development potential of Vietnam and its southern economic centrein particular, and pledged to work harder to enhance the trade and investment linksbetween the UK and Vietnam and the city as well.
British firms are always interested in and ready tocooperate with HCM City in materialising the plan of building the city into aregional financial centre which is competitive globally, he said.
They are also fully aware of HCM City’s potential anddemand in health care and drug research, and wish to step up cooperation withthe city in this regard, and promised to support the southern metropolis in development,the envoy continued.
The UK is willing to cooperate and assist HCM City inhigh-quality personnel training in service of banking, financial and medialsectors, thus contributing to fostering the trade and investment ties between thetwo sides and the two countries at large, he stressed./.
Vietnam attaches importance to effectively pooling and using external resources for sustainable national development, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son told former Prime Minister of the UK and President of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) Tony Blair during a reception in Hanoi on March 10.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 13 for UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Brunei Mark Garnier and UK Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Emily Hamblin to discuss two-way trade toward celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties this year.
Vietnam's curent situation is similar to the UK's in the first decade of the 21st century, thus it can learn from and cooperate with the European country in the field of clean energy development, according to Dr. Dao Duc Cuong, an expert from Bradford University.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
At the reception (Photo: VNA) 
