Rotterdam wants to expand cooperation with Vietnamese localities

Hanoi (VNA) – The Netherlands’ port city of Rotterdam is keen to expand multifaceted cooperation with Vietnamese localities, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, in planning, building and management of port infrastructure, navigation training, logistics services, and prevention of flood tides and urban inundation.

Mayor of the city Ahmed Aboutaleb made the remarks at a meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on July 11, during which he also promised to encourage Rotterdam businesses to invest in Vietnam in the fields of their strengths.

The Mayor said he has visited Vietnam several times and was impressed by the country’s dynamism and development efforts, adding that Rotterdam is willing to support HCM City to cope with climate change.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc highly valued the support and close coordination between the two cities over the past few years in climate change adaptation, and recognised the Mayor’s contributions to this field.

He stressed that the Vietnamese Government pays great attention to boosting comprehensive cooperation with the Netherlands and encourages the two countries’ localities to increase trade and investment partnership and exchange management experience in urban planning, waste treatment and drainage.

The PM asked the Mayor to call on Rotterdam businesses to increase their presence in Vietnam and hoped the city will support the country’s central and Mekong Delta regions to prevent erosions, saltwater intrusion, and sea level rise.

At a meeting with Director of the Staff of the Delta Programme Commissioner Hermen Borst, PM Phuc thanked the Netherlands for supporting Vietnam to implement the strategic partnership agreements on climate change adaptation, water management, sustainable agriculture and food security in recent years.

He noted that Vietnam is particularly interested in experience and measures to cope with climate change and hopes the Netherlands to provide more assistance in the field.

The PM also applauded the Netherlands’ Delta Programme which was launched in 2010 to prevent flood, ensure water supply for agriculture and industry, and cope with climate change in urban areas.

Hermen Borst said he is ready to share his individual experience and support Vietnam in water management and climate change adaptation.

The same day, PM Phuc visited the Rotterdam port – the biggest of its kind in Europe stressing about 40 kilometers. -VNA