Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan stated the city wishes to see more UK business activities at a workshop in London on September 4 to promote investment to the locality.

The event was part of the activities to mark the 40 th anniversary of the Vietnam-UK diplomatic ties and 100 years since President Ho Chi Minh arrived in the UK on his way to fight for national salvation.

Quan noted that with a population of nearly 10 million, HCM City is now a major economic, cultural, education-training, and scientific-technological hub in the southern region. The city has so far established trade ties with 228 countries and territories worldwide and drawn 95 UK’s projects worth 628 million USD.

Participants were briefed on the city’s business incentives. Besides the Thu Thiem urban area project, they were also called on to pour capital in high added-value services, industry, agriculture and urban development.

Marcel Steward, UK’s Wunder Energy Director of Environment and Sustainability, said Vietnam’s current position in the region and the world is conducive to trade and investment expansion.

Michael Lawrence, Asia House Executive Director, said the workshop created a chance for participants to seek networking and business opportunity.

Chairman Quan vowed to take into account recommendations put forth at the event for refining FDI policies.

As UK is strong in finance, banking and services and pioneers the public-private partnership model, HCM City will work more closely with London and Canary Wharf financial districts to learn from their experience, Quan said, adding that he is hopeful of new potential and chances.

Co-hosted by the Asia House, the UK-ASEAN Business Council and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the event drew the participation of over 70 businesses.-VNA