Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Phan Van Mai (R) and Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Kees van Baar. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – Dutch enterprises have suggested Ho Chi Minh City improve its investmentenvironment, develop transport infrastructure and connectivity, hold tradepromotion activities, fight climate change and improve its urban livingenvironment.
They made thesuggestions during a dialogue with the city’s leaders chaired by Chairman ofthe municipal People’s Committee Phan Van Mai on February 28.
Chairman of theDutch Business Association Vietnam Phuc Nguyen advised the city to accelerate administrative reforms to create favourable conditions for Dutch investors to dobusiness there.
Dutch firms alsoproposed the municipal authorities deal with traffic congestion, especially onroads connecting with seaports and nearby cities and provinces; control air andnoise pollution and flooding as well as develop a green and friendlyenvironment.
Dutch Ambassador toVietnam Kees van Baar said apart from capacities of dealing with challenges in climatechange, flooding prevention, environment and wastewater treatment, Dutchenterprises have advantages in hi-tech, digital transformation in logistics,transport infrastructure, green and renewable energy.
According to the diplomat,the city needs to have sustainable planning schemes to improve living quality andbetter serve citizens.
Mai expressed hisbelief that construction of several urban railway routes will be completedbefore 2035. The city will focus on the development of green and circulareconomy, digital transformation and logistics, he said, adding that there remained room forbilateral cooperation in digital transformation.
HCM City always welcomes investors and aims to become a hub of economy,services, logistics, digital transformation and innovation, he said, therefore, thecity's leaders always listen to feedback from the business community and are committed totaking practical actions to address any obstacles faced by investors, thuscreating the best possible conditions for Dutch businesses to invest in thecity.
Thedialogue took place at a time when Vietnam and the Netherlands are celebratingthe 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties. The Netherlands is not onlyan important partner of the city in climate change but also its biggestEuropean trade partner and investor.
Last year, two-waytrade between HCM City and the Netherlands hit 1.6 billion USD. The Netherlandsis the fifth biggest investor in the city with 183 projects worth over 5billion USD./.
