During his reception on Monday for French Ambassador to Viet Nam Bertrand Lortholary, Da Nang People’s Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho remarked that numerous bilateral cooperative programmes with French localities have been implemented in such aspects as economy, culture and education over recent years. 

French Ambassador Lortholary (left) and Chairman Tho

The host also noted “In the first half of this year, the total exports and imports between Da Nang and France reached 7 million USD and 6 million USD respectively.  However, the number of French investors in the city was still modest.  I hope that the bilateral cooperation with French localities would be further strengthened in education, training, and science and technology aspects, as well as in coping with the effects of climate change.”

In reply, Ambassador Lortholary expressed his delight at the fruitful results from the implementation of the Agency for Development of France-funded projects in the city, over recent years.

The French guest also asked the city leaders to facilitate relevant French agencies to build a Viet Nam-France International School in the locality.  In addition, he also asked for help from the city authorities to facilitate the French Institute in Da Nang to expand its facilities, and to train its qualified human resources.  The intention is to make this Institute an ideal place for local residents and French nationals in the city to study and exchange cultural activities.

Moreover, Mr Lortholary pledged to do his utmost to appeal for even more businesses from his country to invest into the city in various aspects, especially in energy saving, renewable energy development, and climate change adaption.

For his part, Chairman Tho vowed that the local authorities would create very favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from France, to operate effectively in the city.  In addition, the focus will be on deepening and tightening the bilateral cooperative relations with French localities in the coming time.