Da Nang and Finland’s Turku city have agreed to promote bilateral cooperation and exchanges of experience in developing seaport systems, logistics, public transport and smart traffic in accordance with the 2 cities’ development plans and accelerating their economic growth in the coming time.

Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh (right) and Deputy Mayor of Turku City Jarkko Virtanen at the signing ceremony of the MoU

The content above is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of friendship and cooperative ties jointly signed by the 2 localities, within the framework of a working visit to Finland on 23 and 24 August made by a group of representatives from the Da Nang People’s Committee, led by its Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh.

Under the bilateral agreement, Da Nang and Turku will jointly carry out specific projects in certain aspects about which the 2 sides have agreed, with the support of the Viet Nam-Finland Innovation Partnership Programme (IPP).

The leaders of the 2 cities also unanimously assigned their relevant agencies to develop a detailed and effective plan for the implementation of the signed (MoU).

At the invitation of Vice Chairman Minh, Deputy Mayor of Turku City Jarkko Virtanen said he would arrange his work schedule to make a working visit to Da Nang as soon as possible.

During their discussions, Vice Chairman Minh and Mayor of Salo city Lauri Inna agreed to boost bilateral cooperation and technology transfer activities in such aspects in which the 2 localities boast strengths and potential as information technology (cloud computing, big data and information security), health care, biotechnology and hi-tech agriculture.

In addition, the 2 sides will increase bilateral exchanges of information, experience and delegations in a bid to promote their cooperative relationships in the fields of science and technology, as well as jointly implement programmes, projects and activities in these aspects.

Furthermore, Salo will assist Da Nang in developing smart city initiatives and innovations, and ensure closer links amongst businesses and universities in the 2 localities.

During his meeting with representatives from Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA), Vice Chairman Minh proposed that this Finnish government agency should help Da Nang strengthen bilateral cooperation with such Finnish cities as Turku and Salo, and advertise the Vietnamese city’s image to other localities in this Nordic country in the coming time.