Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong hosted a reception for Swedish Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson, along with representatives of some Swedish businesses, on Wednesday. Swedish Ambassador to Viet Nam Ann Mawe also attended the meeting.

Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong (left) presenting a souvenir to Swedish Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson. Photo: HOANG HIEP

When highly lauding the visit by the Swedish Minister, Vice Chairman Cuong informed him about Da Nang’s development orientation by 2030 of becoming one of the major socio-economic hubs of the country and Southeast Asia with a role of being an innovation startup center, seaport city, international coastal urban area, ecological urban area, and modern, smart and livable city.

He remarked that the city hoped to receive friendly coordination, support, and cooperation with other countries worldwide so that it can achieve the aforementioned goal.

The host added that Da Nang has expanded cooperative relations with 48 localities in 22 countries and territories around the world.

In particular, the city has received active support and cooperation from the Swedish Embassy in Viet Nam in connecting and cooperating with the Government and localities of Sweden in a number of fields.

Vice Chairman of Da Nang People's Committee Tran Chi Cuong speaking at the working session. Photo: HOANG HIEP

Mr. Cuong asked for help from the Swedish Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing and the Swedish Embassy in Viet Nam to promote further cooperation between Da Nang and Swedish localities in such spheres as tourism, environment and infrastructure, as well as to advertise the city’s image, tourism, and investment environment to Swedish enterprises, investors and people.

Vice Chairman Cuong expressed his hope that the visit made by the Swedish Minister of Infrastructure and Housing will open up many friendly cooperation relationships between Sweden and the city, especially practically celebrating the 45^th anniversary of the Viet Nam and Sweden diplomatic ties.

Swedish Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson speaking at the meeting. Photo: HOANG HIEP

For his part, Swedish Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson said that the visit and the 45^th anniversary of the establishment of the Viet Nam and Sweden diplomatic relations were an opportunity to further expand the cooperation relationships in the fields proposed by Da Nang.

He revealed that many Swedish businesses showed their keen interest in investing in the city during the visit, thereby strengthening bilateral cooperation between the Swedish and Da Nang government and businesses in the aspects of building smart cities, important and essential infrastructure projects, seaports, airports, urban traffic, and green transformation.

At the same time, he suggested the two sides strengthen people-to-people diplomacy because Da Nang was a popular tourist destination for travellers around the world.

On the occasion, the Swedish Ambassador to Viet Nam and Swedish businesses met with Da Nang businesses, paid a field trip to learn about the Lien Chieu port project, and worked with the municipal Department of Information and Communications on the Smart City project, the Central Power Corporation on investing in electrical projects and undergrounding the power grid, and the Da Nang International Airport on the project to upgrade and expand the ảiport.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP - Translating by M.DUNG