Da Nang (VNA) –Potential and advantages of localities in Vietnam’s central key economic zonewere introduced at the “Meet The USA 2018” conference which took place in thecentral city of Da Nang on March 5.

The event was jointly heldby the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Da Nang People’s Committee,the US Embassy and the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham).

In his opening remarks,Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son highlighted tangibleand effective cooperation between Vietnamese and US localities and businessesacross fields.

The US has shown its wishfor and commitment to boosting cooperation with Vietnam and other nations inthe Asia-Pacific. In response, Vietnam has affirmed its resolve to step upopen-door policy and international integration, considering the US a leadingimportant partner, he said.

Vietnam has also highlyvalued initiatives and endeavours of the US and other countries to maintainpeace, stability, cooperation and development in the region, he added.

The official stressed thatVietnam and the US have maintained their trade ties, with stable investmentsand increasing two-way trade revenue.

Vietnam attaches importanceto the relationship with the US and is ready to cooperate with the country inorder to continue its reform and renovation process, and create a favourablebusiness environment, Son noted.

He described cooperationbetween Vietnamese localities and US businesses, partners and localities as apillar of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership which was established in 2013.

Collaboration at the locallevel has been a supportive channel for cooperative mechanisms at theGovernment level, especially in accelerating the implementation of jointprojects, he said.

At the conference, Chairmanof the Da Nang People’s Committee Huynh Duc Tho introduced potential andadvantages of Da Nang in the fields of economics, trade, and internationalinvestment, especially its ties with US localities and businesses.

Tho expressed his hope thatUS partners will continue to accompany the municipal authority and create morecooperative opportunities in investment, trade, smart city building, start-upand education-training with the city.

US Ambassador to VietnamDaniel Kritenbrink congratulated Vietnam and Da Nang in particular on thesuccessful hosting of the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week.

US firms will stand side byside with their Vietnamese partners in development, he said, calling on Vietnamto further push international integration and facilitate the operation of US enterprisesin Vietnam.

The “Meet The USA” conference featured four sessions, focusing on Vietnam-US tradeand investment prospects 2018 – 2020, smart cities – high technology,  start-up, education and workforce.

Onthis occasion, the External Affairs Department under the Foreign Ministry andCoca-Cola Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation.-VNA