During their working trip to France from 30 March to 3 April, Da Nang Party Committee Secretary Truong Quang Nghia and People's Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh attended the 11^th conference on cooperation between Vietnamese and French localities and the first Viet Nam Global Leaders Forum. They also had meetings with representatives from French companies and business associations.

NA Chairman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan witnessing the ceremony to hand over the flag to Ha Noi, the host city of the 12th conference on cooperation between Vietnamese and French localities in 2022 (Photo: VNA)

The France visit by the Da Nang leaders was in the framework of an official visit to France by Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and a high-ranking delegation of NA at the invitation of President of the French NA Richard Ferrand.

The 11^th conference on bilateral cooperation between Vietnamese and French localities, which took place in Toulouse City on 1 and 2 April, saw a series of cooperation documents and economic contracts signed between businesses of the two nations.

The conference brought together representatives from 26 French localities and 34 Vietnamese localities, demonstrating the dynamism and development of this cooperation form.

The event touched upon national priorities, including bilateral commitments in the context that Viet Nam and the EU will sign a free trade agreement in the time ahead. The first conference was held in Lille city, France in 1995. Ha Noi will host the 12^th conference in 2022.

Co-organised in Paris on 30 and 31 March by the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE Global), the first Viet Nam Global Leaders Forum 2019 attracted more than 300 delegates from all over the world, 200 of whom are successful and influential Vietnamese from a wide range of professions.

Through the discussions and presentations brought forth by esteemed guest speakers, the delegates were inspired and expressed their wish to be connected with each other and realize the Vietnamese Dream. To their expectations, the Viet Nam Global Leaders Network was established, aiming to contribute to sustainably developed and prosperous Viet Nam through activities such as cooperation, information exchange, consultancy and training programmes and seminars.

On the sidelines of the forum, Secretary Nghia and Vice Chairman Minh met with a number of Vietnamese experts involving in the healthcare service. The city Party chief asked relevant local agencies to actively work with foreign partners to promote the cooperation in high quality healthcare service and the progress of medical tourism in Da Nang.

Municipal People's Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh and representatives from the Viet Nam Business Association in France

Vice Chairman Minh chaired bilateral meetings with representatives from several associations and businesses based in France.

During his meeting with Ruggieri Fireworks & Special Effects, a progressive and innovative pyrotechnics company founded in 1990, Vice Chairman Minh listened to the company's plan to participate in lighting landmark venues in Da Nang. He also met with Poma Company specializing that specialises in efficient and eco-friendly ropeway transportation solutions.

Representatives from such member companies of the Vietnamese Business Association in France as Atixis, Linagora and Engie Group highlighted bilateral cooperation potential in IT training, open-source software development and railway construction in Da Nang.

Vice Chairman Minh affirmed the Da Nang government’s willingness to create favourable conditions for these businesses to invest in the city, and support the linkages amongst businesses from France and Da Nang. He asked the businesses to prepare plans and specific cooperation programmes as a basis for further discussion and realisation of their projects in Da Nang.