HCM City reviews foreign activities in 2018

In his remarks at the event, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem said 2018 was a significant year for the city as it has been busy with various foreign affair events. Highlight is the HCM City Economic Forum 2018 last month that introduced foreign investors about the local plan to develop the city’s eastern part into an innovative hub.

Thanks to such events, the city raked in more than 7 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) and welcomed over 7.5 million international tourist arrivals this year, he said. 

The leader urged the department to continue taking an active role in promoting diplomatic activities in tandem with cultural exchange, economic development and FDI attraction, contributing to the fulfilment of development goals of the city and the country at large.

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son spoke highly of the department’s performance this year, saying that the department has advised the Foreign Ministry and southern cities and provinces to effectively implement the Party and State’s foreign affairs while successfully fostering people-to-people diplomacy to create good impression on international friends.

Director of the HCM City Department of External Relations Le Quang Long said in 2019, the department will continue advising local leaders to effectively implement external activities with the new approach to communications and information dissemination. The department will focus more on improving the effectiveness of cooperation in the era of international integration, while better supporting local enterprises to unleash their potential and explore new markets as a number of new-generation free trade agreements Vietnam has signed are about to take effect, he noted.

Long added that the department will step up cooperation with other municipal departments to develop comprehensive foreign activities and plans and promote the city as a dynamic city full of potential and an appealing investment and tourist destination.