A Ho Chi Minh City leader expressed his hope that the city and Slovakia would boost their partnership in areas of mutual interest, especially the economy, trade and investment.

Ho Chi Minh City is working hard to establish twin relationship with Slovakia ’s capital Brastislava, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan said during a meeting with Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajcak in the city on November 5.

Noting that the bilateral ties between the two countries, as well as the city and Slovakia, have been growing in recent years, especially in economic terms, he asserted that the cooperation potential between the two sides is great.

Trade between the city and Slovakia reached 85 million USD during the first nine months of this year, he said, adding that Ho Chi Minh City granted an investment licence to a Slovakia-funded project investing 100 million USD.

On his part, Miroslav Lajcak said he was impressed by the dynamic development of Ho Chi Minh City, adding that his visit aimed to foster the bilateral partnership in a number of fields, including the economy, culture, education and people-to-people exchanges.

Reiterating the traditional and long-lasting friendship and cooperation between Slovakia and Vietnam in almost 65 years, he attested that the economic affiliation between the two countries was yet to meet its full potential and the demands of both sides.

He said Slovakia was keen to beef up its economic partnership with Ho Chi Minh City, calling for the city’s investors to invest in his country, pledging to provide favourable conditions.

At the same time, he asked for continued support for Slovakian investors in the city.

Later that day, Miroslav Lajcak visited the Slovakian Consulate General in the city and met with representatives of the Ho Chi Minh City chapter of the Vietnam-Slovakia Friendship Association.-VNA