Vietnam wants to cooperate with Europe in urban planning, said Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai.

Deputy PM Hai made the statement at the live TV programme to mark the opening of a two-day conference and exhibition on European Green Business Solutions for Vietnam (GreenBiz 2011) in Ho Chi Minh City on Sept. 15.

Hai commended the idea of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) on organising Greenbiz 2011, saying that the event is important for Vietnam where 70 percent of its population will be living in big cities in 2030.

The delegates should focus on the development of coastal cities, renewable energy, energy saving and urban designing, he said.

Located in a tropical region with lots of sunshine, long coastline and a huge wind source, Vietnam is a good place for developing clean energy, he noted.

GreenBiz 2011 is being held by EuroCham in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre.

This year’s event will focus on issues relating to climate change, sustainable cities, environmentally friendly technologies, green investment and sustainable strategy in transport and production.

GreenBiz 2011 is an important event that the European Union (EU) and its members support, said Ambassador Sean Doyle, Head of the EU delegation to Vietnam.

The presence of senior leaders of the Vietnamese Government and Vietnamese businesses reflects their interest in topics discussed at GreenBiz 2011 and commitments of EU businesses to support Vietnam in settling environmental issues, said Doyle.

EuroCham President Alain Cany said he hoped the event meets Vietnam’s current demand and will have a long-term impact on Vietnam’s sustainable development in the future./.