HCM City (VNA) – Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem suggested cooperation with New Zealand in education, training, investment, trade, tourism, and agriculture while receiving a minister from the southern hemisphere country on November 17.

Welcoming New Zealand Minister for Economic Development and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Steven Joyce, the local official highlighted the thriving relations between Vietnam and New Zealand, as demonstrated through recent visits by the countries’ leaders.

Some HCM City agencies have also set up cooperation with New Zealand partners, he noted, adding that his municipality is working on the construction of a bridge featuring Vietnam – New Zealand friendship.

Air New Zealand’s opening of a direct air route linking its country with HCM City next June will surely enhance economic, trade, cultural and tourism exchanges between the two sides, Liem said.

He also asked Steven Joyce to continue encouraging New Zealand businesses’ partnership with Vietnam as the two sides have numerous cooperation potentials.

For his part, the guest said the New Zealand delegation visiting Vietnam this time comprises of those from the education and aviation sectors. They inked five cooperation agreements on education with Vietnamese universities and two others on training pilots with local airlines.

He agreed that the launching of a direct air route between New Zealand’s Auckland and HCM City will open up new opportunities for intensified exchanges and collaboration.

He also expressed his belief that the friendship bridge project to be implemented in the near future will cement connections between the nations.-VNA
VNA