HCM City (VNA) – Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee TranVinh Tuyen has suggested promoting links with the Republic of Korea (RoK)localities in transportation, education-training, and smart health care, aspart of the city’s goal to build an innovation urban area in its eastern part.

During areception for visiting Chief of the RoK’s National Assembly Budget Office LeeJong-hoo on June 12, Tuyen said the municipal authorities have adoptedtechnological advances to deal with environmental issues, traffic congestion,health care and education-training. However, the city still faces pressure fromincreasing population, traffic infrastructure and housing.

According tohim, trade between the two countries has surged 90-fold since the establishmentof bilateral diplomatic ties 27 years ago. The RoK is now the largest investorand trade partner, and the second largest supplier of official development assistanceto Vietnam.

The hostalso committed all possible support for Korean firms to do business in thecity.

Lee, for hispart, said RoK enterprises always attach importance to the businessenvironment, especially when Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City in particular alwayscreate the most favourable conditions for foreign investors, including thosefrom the RoK.

He believedthat more RoK firms will arrive in Ho Chi Minh City to seek opportunities,especially in fields of its demand.

The RoK isnow the third largest investor in Ho Chi Minh City with over 1,600 projectsworth more than 5 billion USD.

The city isalso home to a population of over 80,000 people and 2,000 RoK companies.-VNA