Standing Vice Chairman of Da Nang People's Committee Ho Ky Minh asked for help from Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Sarah Hooper to appeal for businesses from her country to invest in Da Nang in spheres of hi-tech, digital transformation, semiconductor and education when receiving the diplomat in the city on Wednesday.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Ho Ky Minh (3rd, right) presenting a souvenir to Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Sarah Hooper (2nd, left). Photo: T.P

Also during the reception, Vice Chairman Minh informed about the National Assembly-issued Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 on the organization of urban administration and the piloting of a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang, with a focus on the establishment of a free trade zone; innovation, science and technology; and semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI).

It is expected that the city will put the first building of the Software Park No. 2 into operation in late December 2024. The city leader, therefore, asked the Australian diplomat to call on more Australian businesses operating in innovation, microchip design, and AI to visit and seek investment opportunities in Da Nang in the coming time.

He also asked for a helping hand from the Embassy and Consulate General of Australia to open more direct flights between Da Nang and such Australian localities as Queensland, Gold Coast, and Brisbane.

Thanking the city leader for his warm welcome, Consul General Sarah Hooper said that the purpose of her visit was to learn about Da Nang's priority development areas, thereby opening up cooperation opportunities with the city in the near future.

The Australian diplomat pledged to do her utmost to promote cooperation and connection activities between Da Nang and Australian localities and businesses in potential fields in the coming time, contributing to tightening the Viet Nam - Australia cooperative ties.

Reporting by THANH PHUONG - Translating by M.DUNG