HCM City (VNA) – The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in urban development, construction, infrastructure, and transport in Ho Chi Minh City on September 23.
The event saw the presence of Member of Parliament Matt Western, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, and British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew.
Under the MoU, inked by Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong and British Consul General in HCM City Alex Smith, the two sides will strengthen cooperation to create a foundation and favourable conditions for collaboration in urban development, construction, infrastructure, and transport through the implementation of specific programmes and projects. It also aims to enhance HCM City’s technical, managerial, and project implementation capacity. Both sides will promote delegation exchanges and facilitate business access to investment and cooperation opportunities in relevant sectors.
The municipal People’s Committee and the FCDO will increase information exchange on potential and strengths, jointly study current conditions, and promote programmes, projects, and activities to attract cooperation and investment in urban development, construction, infrastructure, and transport.
Specifically, the two sides will cooperate to promote sustainable and smart urban development through the exchange of experience in smart city planning and management; advance transit-oriented development (TOD) via policy building, financial mobilisation studies, strategic frameworks, planning, and operation models; and strengthen the capacity of HCM City leaders and officials in the field of urban management and development.
On infrastructure, collaboration will include sharing experience in planning, management, maintenance, upgrading, and operation; researching advanced technologies and technical solutions; attracting investment and mobilising resources for key projects; and improving capacity in managing and operating technical facilities.
Regarding transport, the two sides will cooperate to develop modern, smart, and sustainable urban transport systems; apply technology and train railway personnel; share experience in planning, management, maintenance, and upgrading; implement Building Information Modelling (BIM) in transport and urban railway projects; and research and develop intelligent transport solutions and modern public transport modes.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Western affirmed that the agreement lays a foundation for future cooperation, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to government-to-local partnerships in developing public transport infrastructure and building HCM City into a modern and inclusive metropolis. He stressed that the UK is committed to sharing experience in planning, financial mobilisation, and public–private partnerships, contributing to economic growth and improved living standards for the people of Vietnam.
For his part, Cuong emphasised that building on more than 50 years of diplomatic ties and 15 years of the Vietnam – UK Strategic Partnership, HCM City is proud to be among the localities with major contributions to the bilateral relations. He expressed his hope that the city will continue to receive support and cooperation from the UK in its development journey, thereby contributing to the enhancement of the Vietnam–UK Strategic Partnership in a more substantial and effective manner./.
