Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee on May 16 held a ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-Netherlands diplomatic ties.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hong said the Netherlands has been one of the leading EU countries to provide non-refundable aid for Vietnam in the fields of education, science and technology, and environment.

Vietnam now has 160 projects with investment from the Netherlands, totalling 6 billion USD in registered capital, noted Hong.

Two-way trade has increased from 1.68 billion USD in 2009 to 3.2 in 2012, she added.

In particular, the city’s Investment and Trade Promotion Centre and the Netherlands’ Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries have worked together to support local enterprises’ exports over the past time.

Cooperation between HCM City and the Dutch city of Rotterdam have flourished since the two sides established their relations in 2009.

Rotterdam helps the Vietnamese city implement many projects on water and climate change.

Dutch Consul General in HCM City Simon Van Der Burg said the relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands mark a shift from a relationship based on development aid to one that supports trade and investment by improving the business climate and expanding the business scope.

The Holland Village event, held by the Consulate General of the Netherlands, is scheduled for November as part of activities to mark the 40th anniversary of Vietnam-Netherlands diplomatic ties.

At the event, visitors will have an opportunity to meet and learn about Dutch businesses, technologies, cuisine and culture.-VNA