Addressing the event, Deputy Mayor Christophe Bouchet said that his city sees great opportunities for cooperation with Vietnam due to cultural similarities between the two sides.
The French city has increased activities to step up the bilateral cooperation, hoping Vietnam to become its long-term economic partner, added Bouchet.
He also noted that cultural exchange activities between the two sides have been boosted through photo exhibitions, film screening programmes, and Vietnamese art troupes’ programmes in France.
Ambassador Duong Tri Dung briefed participants on the development of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, especially economy, noting that two-way trade reached 3.5 billion EUR (4.86 billion USD) last year.
He also highlighted the two countries’ great potential of economic cooperation, and encouraged businesses in Indre et Loire department to invest in Vietnam.
The conference also heard a report presented by commercial counsellor of the Vietnamese Embassy in France Nguyen Canh Cuong, focusing on investment opportunities and the country’s promising fields, including garment and textile, footwear, aquatic products, machinery and infrastructure.
In another move, Chairman of the Touraine-Vietnam Friendship Association Jean-Jacques Rousselle introduced the 2014 Vietnamese Spring in Touraine programme that featured 30 activities related to culture, cuisine, and arts, at a meeting held by the association and the Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire city.
Ambassador Dung thanked the association for its contributions to the Vietnam Year in France and the boosting of the mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries as well.-VNA
