A seminar on the prospects for boosting bilateral investment and trade cooperation between Da Nang and the USA took place in the city on Monday.  It was jointly organised by the municipal Department of Foreign Affairs (DOFA), the city’s branch of the Viet Nam-US Friendship Association, and the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Addressing the event, the economic counsellor at the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr John Hill, highlighted Da Nang's efforts in promoting the development of hi-tech industries and an e-government system over recent years.  Most notably, he remarked, the city has now become a reliable partner with such US technology companies as Global CyberSoft, LogiGear and eSilicon.

He also expressed his delight that Da Nang had been chosen by the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) as one of the 33 cities worldwide to receive IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grants.

According to DOFA, the USA is one of Da Nang’s largest trading partners and foreign investors.  As of 30 June, there have been 34 US-invested projects in the city with a total investment of around 331.7 million USD, and nearly 15 local businesses have established trade relations with US localities.  In 2014, the city’s total export turnover to the USA hit 220 million USD.