A Czech senator has expressed his hope that Ho Chi Minh City and Brno, the second largest city of the Czech Republic, will soon establish a partnership for development and put forward specific bilateral cooperation programmes.

Vice Chairman of the Czech Senate Jiří Liška made the statement during a meeting with Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council Chairwoman Pham Phuong Thao on November 23.

Ho Chi Minh City is the last stop on a Vietnam visit from November 14-23 by the Vice Chairman and five other Czech senators in an effort to seek closer and more diversified cooperation opportunities not only between the legislative bodies but also between their business circles and other sectors of the two countries.

On the same day, the Vice Chairman attended the opening ceremony of the Czech Chamber of Commerce’s representative office in Ho Chi Minh City and met successful Vietnamese entrepreneurs and city officials who had studied and worked in the Czech Republic.

“The Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic has contributed important initiatives to the local authorities. Close relations between the Vietnamese and Czechs are beneficial for development and cooperation between the two countries,” the Vice Chairman affirmed.

Jiří Liška introduced representatives from 15 large businesses in his country to the Chairwoman. These businesses are said to be strong in the environment, waste treatment, energy and clean water, and are suited to meet Ho Chi Minh City’s large demands during its process of development.

On her part, the Chairwoman committed to help and create favourable conditions for Czech businesses in the city. She also informed the Czech senator of the current socio-economic situation and major issues facing the city such as infrastructure, human resources development and administrative reform./