HCMCity (VNA) – Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh CityNguyen Thanh Phong and visiting Governor of Japan’s Miyagi prefecture Yoshihiro Murai discussed measures to bolster the partnershipbetween the two localities during their meeting on August 29.

Phong said that based on the sound relations between Vietnamand Japan, HCM City has worked to promote its partnership with Japaneselocalities, including Miyagi Prefecture.

In January 2018, within the visit of the Miyagi Vice Governorto HCM City, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in education andtourism, he noted.

Phongexpressed his hope that more specific cooperation programmes will beimplemented, especially in areas of HCM City’s priority such as high technologyindustry, urban infrastructure construction, chemical-plastics industry,electronic mechanics, and processing.

Inaddition, HCM City hopes to foster partnership with Miyagi in education,eco-tourism, culture and people-to-people exchange, he added.

Briefingthe guest on the socio-economic development of the city, Phong said that HCMCity is working to become a smart city and a financial, science and technologyhub of the region, adding that the city hopes for cooperation from foreignpartners, including those from Japan.

Hesaid the city hopes to welcome governors of localities in Japan’s Tohoku regionto discuss ways to boost bilateral collaboration.

Forhis part, Yoshihiro Murai said that his visitaims to seek opportunities for trade and investment cooperation and promotionbetween the two localities.

Miyagi’s enterprises value the socio-political stability ofVietnam, and are increasing their investment in Vietnam as well as HCM City, hesaid.

He proposed that leaders of HCM City create favourableconditions for aquatic products and liquors of Miyagi to reach local consumers.

The government of Miyagi will create optimal conditions forcooperation with HCM City, especially in connectivity among businesses andlocals of both sides, he pledged.

He revealed that next year, six governors of localities inTohoku region will visit Vietnam, with HCM City a possible destination, to seekstronger bilateral partnership.-VNA