Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong (R) and State Secretary of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Dominique Paravicini. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong hosted a reception on October 23 for visiting State Secretary of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Dominique Paravicini.
Cuong said the city has actively pursued joint activities with Switzerland, particularly in economy, urban management and development.
He added that two-way trade between Ho Chi Minh City and Switzerland neared 190 million USD last year, with the European country investing in 122 projects worth over 214 million USD in the city.
Ho Chi Minh City is ready to boost cooperation in areas of Switzerland’s strength, such as sustainable urban development, finance, banking, education and health care, he said, adding that the city always welcomes and creates favourable conditions for Swiss firms to do long-term business here.
Paravicini, for his part, said his working trip aims to step up Switzerland's economic development programme for Vietnam through activities that enhance financial transparency and accountability. It also focuses on improving the capacity and modernising the financial sector and capital markets, the competitiveness and access to the global value chain, and urban development planning and climate resilience in urban areas.
He said he will hold a working session with Swiss enterprises operating in the city in order to promote investment and business activities.
The guest wished that the municipal authorities would continue providing all possible support for Swiss firms joining in local projects in the fields of sustainable urban development, commerce, renewable energy, green transportation, finance and banking./.
