City leaders host US diplomats
Last Friday, Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Nguyen Xuan Anh played host to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Viet Nam, Mr Ted Osius, and the US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Ms Mary Tarnowka.
US Ambassador Ted Osius (left) and Secretary Anh |
Secretary Anh spoke highly of the bilateral fruitful cooperation and friendship with the USA, and with Viet Nam as a whole, over recent years, especially in education, humanitarian aid, and other aspects. The city leader said he would like Mr Ted to appeal for more US localities and businesses to invest in education, tourism, investment, and natural disaster and climate change adaptation in the city.
With regard to the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW) from 6-11 November, Secretary Anh remarked that preparations are now being kept on track in bid to ensure the great success of this international large-scale event. In particular, he vowed that the city authorities would work closely with the US Embassy in Viet Nam and the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City in order to create the most favourable conditions for the US delegation during their attendance at AELW 2017.
In reply, the US Ambassador expressed his delight at the growing bilateral relationships with Da Nang over recent years through such remarkably successful programmes as the recent 2017 Pacific Partnership programme and the ongoing project to remove dioxin contamination at the Da Nang International Airport. He also remarked that he would continue his efforts to bolster the bilateral cooperation with the city in the years ahead, with the priority given to ensuring the success of the upcoming AELW 2017.
During his reception for US Ambassador Ted Osius on the same day, municipal People’s Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho said that his city has to date attracted 46 US-invested projects with the total registered investment capital of over 517 million USD.
Between January and June, the import-export turnover between Da Nang and the USA reached 135 million USD, up 10.6% against the same period last year.
Currently, the city is cooperating with 68 US non-government organisations to implement meaningful projects to help the disabled and others involving health care and education.
Chairman Tho asked the US Ambassador to make even greater efforts during his tenure to appeal for more US businesses to invest into Da Nang in the years ahead, especially in aspects in which the 2 sides show keen interest. Included are trade, services, education and training, hi-tech and information technology (IT).