The northern port city of Hai Phong and Australia’s Northern Territory on February 27 inked a memorandum of understanding on bilateral trade, economic and education cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and benefits.

Signatories were Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Duong Anh Dien and Chief Minister of Australia’s Northern Territory Adam Giles.

Receiving Adam Giles in the city the same day, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Thanh said Hai Phong hopes for win-win cooperation with the region.

He informed his guest that Hai Phong has seen industry, construction and services grow by 90 percent in 10 years. As a major sea gateway in the north, it handled 55 million tonnes of goods last year.

The total foreign direct investment inflow hit 9 billion USD, with much coming from the world’s top 500 businesses. It is working on the 1.5 billion USD Lach Huyen international gateway seaport and Tan Vu-Lach Huyen sea bridge, the longest in Southeast Asia.

Besides advantages in marine transport, Hai Phong is strong in aviation, road traffic, railway and inland waterways. The city is developing a marine-based economy on the back of logistics, tourism and seafood, he said.

Referring to education, Thanh said Hai Phong is in partnership with Australian universities and experts.

Giles said the Northern Territory in Australia is ramping up infrastructure in Darwin city, particularly in aviation, seaports and its road network. It is strong in mining, cultivation, animal husbandry and farming.

The territory is keen to forge long-term cooperation with Hai Phong in seafood and education, he noted.

The region sprawls over 130,000 sq.km and has a population of over 200,000. Over 90 percent of its ore has yet to be mined.-VNA