Deputy chairman of the HCM City People's Committee Tat Thanh Cang (Right)  meets with Saitama Vice Governor Iwasaki Yasuo in HCM City yesterday. — Photo ktđt

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — Leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and Japan's Saitama Prefecture had a meeting in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday to seek opportunities to boost partnerships and economic connections.

Tat Thanh Cang, deputy chairman of the HCM City People's Committee, briefed the guest on the current general socio-economic situation in the city as well as the city's strengths and future development orientations.

He noted that the city was strong in industry and trade with agriculture accounting for only 1 percent of the economy. However, the city was striving to develop hi-tech agriculture with high added value, he said.

Many Japanese firms had shown interest in the sector, he added, suggesting that those from Saitama should explore investment opportunities in the field.

HCM City hopes to increase cooperation with Japan in agriculture, forestry and fishery sectors, especially hi-tech agriculture. — File Photo

Cang held that economic collaboration potential between the two localities was abundant, especially in mechanical engineering, electronics, information technology, chemicals, food processing, garments and textiles and footwear.

He also proposed that apart from economic cooperation, Saitama businesses should seek high-quality human resources training, which helps provide sufficient labour sources for their projects in the city.

Saitama Vice Governor Iwasaki Yasuo said the Saitama delegation's visit aimed to set up a friendly partnership between the two localities, especially in economics.

He noted that about 80 enterprises from Saitama were currently investing in Viet Nam , mostly in mechanical engineering, automobile part manufacturing, construction and architecture.

Saitama businesses strengths included automobile part making, support industry, mechanical engineering and hi-tech agriculture, Iwasaki said, expressing his hope that close ties with Ho Chi Minh City would be set up shortly.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to create favourable conditions for enterprises of both localities to strengthen connections and affiliation in the future. — VNS