During his reception on Wednesday for Mr. Edouard Philippe, Mayor of Le Havre City in France, Da Nang People’s Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh remarked his city and Le Havre shared many similarities in development orientation and boasted huge potential for multifaceted cooperation.

Chairman Le Trung Chinh (right) presenting a souvenir to Mayor Edouard Philippe. Photo: L.P

Chairman Chinh informed his French guest about the city’s target of becoming one of major socio-economic hubs of the country and Southeast Asia by 2030, and a big, smart, liveable, coastal eco-city cum a startup and innovation hub in Asia by 2045.

He revealed that Da Nang has been focusing on developing key aspects, including high-tech industry, information technology, seaports, logistics services and tourism.

As of April 2022, the city attracted 34 French-invested projects worth US$25 million in total, and the majority of them were involved in information technology and food supply.

According to Mr. Chinh, Da Nang and Le Havre shared many similarities in terms of tourism, seaports, education and training, and information technology.

He, therefore, expressed his desire that Mayor Edouard Philippe will act as a bridge to appeal for more businesses in Le Havre City in particular and France in general to Da Nang to learn about the city’s investment climate, and seek cooperation opportunities in potential spheres in the coming time.

The host pledged that the municipal government will create the most favourable conditions for French businesses and partners to effectively invest and operate in Da Nang.

Representatives of Da Nang and Le Havre posing for a group photo. Photo: L.P

Chairman Chinh emphasised that the year 2023 held significance for ties between Viet Nam and France as it marked the 50^th founding anniversary of the diplomatic ties and the 10^th anniversary of the bilateral strategic partnership. The city's leader, therefore, asked for support from Mayor Edouard Philippe for cultural and people-to-people exchange activities between Le Havre City and Da Nang in the near future, thereby contributing to consolidating and tightening the friendship between the two countries.

In reply, Mayor Edouard Philippe expressed his impression on the rapid growth of Da Nang, and Viet Nam as a whole. He added Le Havre City had strengths in seaports, information technology, education, and more.

He vowed to facilitate the two cities to well work, exchange and promote cooperation projects, hereby contributing to effectively exploiting potential and strengths, and promoting the development of the two sides as well.

Reporting by LAM PHUONG - Translating by M.DUNG