Da Nang People’s Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh hosted a reception for New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam Caroline Beresford in the city on Tuesday.

Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Le Trung Chinh (right) presenting a souvenir to New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam Caroline Beresford. Photo: T.P

Mr. Chinh informed his guest about Resolution No. 136/2024/QH15 issued by the National Assembly of Viet Nam on June 26, 2024 on the organisation of urban government and piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Da Nang, with a focus on aspects of establishing a free trade zone; innovation, science and technology; and semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI).

The city leader added that Da Nang has so far attracted three FDI projects from New Zealand with an investment capital of US$ 245,000, which was still modest compared to the potential of New Zealand investors. He, therefore, asked for a helping hand from the ambassador to act as a bridge to introduce more New Zealand investors and businesses to visit and explore investment opportunities in Da Nang in such spheres as hi-tech, microchips, semiconductors, innovative startups, tourism, education and healthcare.

He also thanked the diplomat, the New Zealand Embassy in Viet Nam, and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for their active support for the delegation of the city during their working trip to the country from September 7 - 10.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Council Tran Phuoc Son (right) and New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam Caroline Beresford. Photo: T.P

Within the framework of the working trip to New Zealand, the Da Nang delegation had a working session with the New Zealand Tech Alliance (NZTech) to promote investment and cooperation in hi-tech, as well as visited the Alpha Laboratories Company.

On the occasion, the Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Council Tran Phuoc Son proposed that the diplomat connect with the Asia - New Zealand Fund to send a delegation of 100 enterprises and a number of countries to Viet Nam, including Da Nang, in July 2025 in order to survey the investment and business environment.

Leaders of Da Nang and New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam Caroline Beresford. Photo: T.P

For her part, New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam Caroline Beresford said that investors from her country showed their keen interest in investing in Da Nang, and Viet Nam as a whole, in the aspects of hi-tech, tourism, education, and healthcare. 

She pledged to do her utmost to foster the friendship and cooperation relations between New Zealand and Da Nang in the years ahead.

The year 2025 will mark the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of the Viet Nam - New Zealand diplomatic ties. This will be an important milestone for the two countries to carry out meaningful activities, contributing to further deepening the bilateral cooperation in all fields, and lifting their relationship to a new height, Ms. Caroline Beresford noted.

Reporting by THANH PHUONG - Translating by M.DUNG