Leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and Japan’s Saitama Prefecture had a meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on June 2 to seek opportunities to boost partnerships and economic connections.

Tat Thanh Cang, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, briefed the guest on the current general socio-economic situation in the city as well as the city’s strengths and future development orientations.

He noted that the city is strong in industry and trade with agriculture accounting for only 1 percent of the economy. However, the city is striving to develop hi-tech agriculture with high added value, he said.

Many Japanese firms have shown interest in the sector, he added, suggesting that those from Saitama should explore investment opportunities in the field.

Cang held that economic collaboration potential between the two localities is abundant, especially in mechanical engineering, electronics, information technology, chemicals, food processing, garments and textiles and footwear.

He also proposed that apart from economic cooperation, Saitama businesses should seek high-quality human resources training, which helps provide sufficient labour sources for their projects in the city.

Saitama Vice Governor Iwasaki Yasuo said the Saitama delegation’s visit aims to set up a friendly partnership between the two localities, especially in economics.

He noted that about 80 enterprises from Saitama are currently investing in Vietnam , mostly in mechanical engineering, automobile part manufacturing, construction and architecture.

Saitama businesses strengths include automobile part making, support industry, mechanical engineering and hi-tech agriculture, Iwasaki said, expressing his hope that close ties with Ho Chi Minh City would be set up shortly.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to create favourable conditions for enterprises of both localities to strengthen connections and affiliation in the future.-VNA