In his welcoming speech, Permanent Vice Chairman of HCMC People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem said Vietnam and Italy have positively exchanged high-profile visits and strengthened cooperation relations in specialized fields. Both sides have closely coordinated in many multi-lateral and international fora; promoting trade exchange and investment; strengthening cooperation in fields of education, tourism, science, etc.

In the context of well-established bilateral relations, cooperation relations between both countries’ localities have been strongly developed, of which HCMC and Italy have achieved many important results in fields of investment, trade, education, training, culture, tourism. Till now, Italy has 34 investment projects worth US$ 69 million, two way trade between Italy and HCMC in 2017 reached US$ 624 million, up 5% as of 2016. Mr. Liem expressed his belief that Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership, based on mutual trust, determination and efforts of both sides’ governments, including HCMC, witll further develop for mutual benefets for both countries’s people, for peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world.

For his part, Italian Consul General in HCMC Dante Brandi thanked HCMC’s authorites for organizing a warm and solenm ceremony. He said it is time, after 45 years of diplomatic relations and 5 years of strategic partnerships, for Vietnam and Italy to realize cooperation activities in many fields, especially the fields of both sides’ interest and strengths.

HCM CITYWEB