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HCM City, EU look towards stronger trade links

Cooperation potential between Ho Chi Minh City and European Union (EU) countries is huge, especially in trade and investment, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan has said.
Cooperation potential between Ho Chi Minh City and European Union (EU)countries is huge, especially in trade and investment, Chairman of themunicipal People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan has said.

At his meeting with Chairman of the European Parliament’sInternational Trade Committee Bernd Lange on April 9, Quan said 23European countries have invested in 600 projects in the city whiletwo-way trade reached 6 billion USD by the end of 2014.

The conclusion and signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) betweenVietnam and the EU in the coming time will bring about optimalconditions for both sides to foster their cooperation, he added.

Congratulating HCM City on its attainments, Bernd Lange said hisVietnam visit coincides with the 25 th anniversary of the EU-Vietnam’sdiplomatic ties, which will help further their friendship and mutualtrust.

As the FTA talks is entering the finalstage and its final say depends largely on the European Parliament,Vietnam and HCM City in particular, therefore, should provide concreteinformation to prepare for the next negotiation round, he noted.

He expressed his belief that the FTA ratification will deepenbilateral relations and help HCM City address its shortcomings in urbaninfrastructure and climate change response.

It willalso be a good opportunity for the city to receive an inflow of Europeaninvestments, thus benefiting people of the two sides.-VNA
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