From right: Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai (3rd), Canadian Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Mary Ng (4th), and other delegates at the reception in HCM City on March 28. (Photo: VNA) The two sides boast potential for multi-facetedcooperation, the official explained, expressing his hope for Canadianinvestment of more than 500 million USD in the southern largest economic hub in the timeahead.
Mai viewed Mary Ng’s visit as an opportunity for thetwo sides to enhance cooperation in various fields, especially trade andinvestment.
Mentioning the Comprehensive Trans-PacificPartnership Agreement (CPTPP), to which both Vietnam and Canada are signatories,he said since it was put in place, trade and investment ties between Canada andVietnam, and HCM City in particular, have been growing, yet they have failed tomatch their potential and demand.
Therefore, HCM City encourages businesses of the twocountries to exchange cooperation opportunities and open offices in a bid to double and even triple the two-way trade revenue.
Briefing his guest on HCM City’s advantages, Maistressed that apart from trade, it expects to receive Canada’s cooperation andinvestment in education and high-quality personnel training to serve itsinternational integration.
The official also suggested the two sides enhancethe exchange of experience and technologies to spur sustainable development.
For her part, Mary Ng said the visiting Canadiantrade mission comprises more than 100 enterprises operating in differentspheres, from agriculture to processing, space science, green growth, andclimate change response, demonstrating their interest ininvestment in Vietnam.
Canada considers Vietnam an important partner andmarket in its Indo-Pacific strategy, she said, adding that many Canadianbusinesses have invested in electricity and energy, and opened theirrepresentative offices in HCM City.
Canada also wants to learn about Vietnamese firmsthat are seeking business opportunities in the North American country, she said.
The minister affirmed that Canada will work to connect Canadianinvestment funds, organisations, schools and research institutes, and HCM Cityin the realm of human resources development, and the country stands ready toshare its experience with the city in green transition./.
VNA
