Participants take a group photo at the event (Photo: VNA)HCM City(VNA) - Chairman of the Ho ChiMinh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai hosted a reception on September 11 for CatherineDeroche, Chairwoman of the France - Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians'Group of the French Senate, who is on a working visit to the city.
Mai spoke highly of the contributions of the group and Deroche herself to the sound development of Vietnam - France ties.
HCM City always defines its responsibilities and proactivelyimplements activities to concretise commitments between the two countries,contributing to the overall development of their relations, he said.
The Chairman suggested the France - Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Grouppay attention and introduce French people and businesses to the city to promoteinvestment and trade collaboration.
Mai went on to say that attention should be paid to supportingcooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and French research institutes,universities, experts, and businesses in urban planning, traininghigh-quality human resources in the medical field and developing specialisedmedical care centres. Education and training cooperation shouldbe included along with cultural exchanges as well as enhancing theeffectiveness of cooperation between the city and French localities, he added.
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai (right) and Catherine Deroche, Chairwoman of the France - Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians' Group of the French Senate at the reception on September 11.(Photo: VNA)For her part, Deroche highlighted that 2023 is a specialyear as the two countries are organising activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam - France diplomatic relations and the 10th founding anniversary of their bilateral strategic partnership.
France and Vietnam are having a good relationship with a long-termand close connection which is reflected by the presence of a large number ofFrench businesses in Vietnam, she said.
Appreciating the economic potential and investment attraction of HCM City amid the context that the economicrelationship between the two countries is making great strides, the Frenchsenator expressed her hope that more French businesses will pour investment anddo business in the southern largest economic hub in the fields of finance, education,research and pharmaceutical production./.
