A seminar to promote investment into Da Nang was held by the municipal People’s Committee in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Monday. This is the first time the city has organised an investment promotion seminar in UAE.

The Da Nang delegation took souvenir photos with leaders of Emirates Airlines.

In his speech delivered at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UAE Nguyen Manh Tuan highlighted that the event aimed to mark the 30^th anniversary of the Viet Nam-the UAE diplomatic relations (August 1).

He informed the UAE is currently Viet Nam's largest trading partner in the Middle East and the country’s 7^th largest exporter. In 2022, Viet Nam had a trade surplus of more than US$3 billion with the UAE.

Meanwhile, the S-shaped country is always in the group of countries valued by the UAE in terms of bilateral relations. In recent years, the two-way trade turnover between the two sides has always reached US$3-5 billion despite the impact of COVID-19, and regional and global economic crisis.

The Vietnamese diplomat affirmed that Da Nang, with its position as an economic, political and cultural hub and as a strategic port city in Central Viet Nam, will continue to play a key role in Viet Nam's growth in the coming time. It will become an ideal investment destination for businesses in the UAE in general and in Dubai in particular.

Da Nang People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh emphasised that his city targeted to become one of the major socio-economic centers of the country and Southeast Asia, as well as to turn itself into a hub for innovative startup, tourism, commerce, finance, logistics, hi-tech, information technology and supporting industry.

He added Da Nang has been focusing on attracting foreign direct investment and has wanted to invite businesses from the UAE to visit and learn about its investment climate. The city is discussing with the Emirates Airlines about the possibility of opening a direct route from Da Nang to Dubai in a bid to facilitate UAE businesses to come to Da Nang.

International delegates attended the seminar.

During the seminar, Da Nang briefed the attendees on its potential and advantages, and its preferential policies for foreign investors. Also, some projects that are suitable for the potential and strength of the UAE were introduced, including the Da Nang International Financial Center, the Lien Chieu Port, and logistics, tourism, hi-tech and IT centers.

Some participants, especially the LuLu Hypermarket chain in the UAE, showed their keen interest in seeking investment opportunities to build a logistics center in Central Viet Nam in general and Da Nang in particular.

Meanwhile, the Desert Harbor Tourism Company proposed Da Nang to promote the establishment of a Da Nang tourism representative office in the UAE to exploit the potential tourist market of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Other diplomatic representatives of countries in the UAE suggested that Da Nang should set up twin sister city relationship with localities in the Middle East to promote economic, cultural and political cooperation.

The seminar in progress

Vietnamese Ambassador to the UAE Nguyen Manh Tuan urged Da Nang to promote the opening of Da Nang - Dubai flights in the near future. He also stressed the need for hotels in the city to have prayer rooms for Muslim guests and prepare for Halal certified food in order to exploit tourist market of the UAE in particular and the Middle East in general.

In the coming time, the Embassy of Viet Nam in Dubai plans to organise a road show to promote Viet Nam's tourism in Dubai and appeal for Da Nang’s tourism businesses to participate in.

In addition, in order to promote import-export relations between Da Nang - the UAE, Da Nang businesses can take advantage of the World Logistics Passport programme to bring Vietnamese goods to the Middle East - Europe market.

Da Nang, Emirates Airlines seek aviation cooperation opportunities

Within the framework of the ongoing working trip to the UAE, the Da Nang delegation, led by municipal People's Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh visited and worked with Emirates Airlines.

During the meeting, the city leader informed about the potential and advantages of being a gateway to UNESCO world heritages such as the ‘Ma Nhai’ Heritage, Hoi An ancient town, Hue City, My Son Sanctuary and Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.

Da Nang is also the destination to host many regional and international events such as the APEC Economic Leaders' Week 2017, the Routes Asia 2022 and the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival.

Besides, the city was honoured as 'Asia's Leading Festival and Event Destination 2022', and was named among top 3 best cities in Southeast Asia in 2022 by the Travel + Leisure Magazine. The city’s My Khe Beach has been listed in top 10 most beautiful beaches in Asia in 2023 by TripAdvisor.

Mr. Orhan Abbas, Senior Vice President of the Commercial Operations Far East Department of Emirates Airlines said the airline highly appreciated the operational efficiency of flights to major cities of Viet Nam.

The Da Nang delegation spoke highly of Emirates Airlines' flight network. In the immediate future, Da Nang will seek opportunities to advertise destinations in Viet Nam on Emirates channels. Then, the city will organise events to welcome new flights, promote the airline's brand on LED screens and billboards at international terminals, as well as carry out other communication activities.

Leaders of the city and the tourism sector vowed that they will create the best conditions for Emirates Airlines to open an air route to Da Nang in the future.

Reporting by GIA MINH - Translating by M.DUNG