HCMC seeks to strengthen ties with Belgium’s Antwerp province

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong (R)  welcomes Governor of Belgium's Antwerp province Cathy Berx

She affirmed his province’s readiness to share experience with HCM City in smart urban area development, including building of an open data warehouse, management of seaports and logistic services by smart technologies, and waste treatment.

Alongside the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and Investment Protection Agreement (IPA), cooperation between HCM City and Antwerp will serve as a catalyst to carry out the bilateral trade target of US$3 billion in the time ahead as set by the two government’s leaders, she added.

Antwerp is willing to join hands with HCM City in holding conferences on cooperation measures to deliver benefits to enterprises and people of the two sides, she added.

In turn, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong in Ho Chi Minh said Ho Chi Minh City desires to bolster cooperation with Belgium’s Antwerp province in the area of the latter’s strength such as seaport development, smart urban building and renewable energy.

He highlighted the fruitful economic cooperation between Belgium and the southern metropolis while noting that the results are still far below their potential and advantages. 

Mr. Phong glowingly spoke of Antwerp province's strengthes, and pledged the best possible conditions for Antwerp enterprises who want to study bussiness opportunities and intensify investment in the southern economic hub./.

By Hoang Ha