HCM City and Busan city of the Republic of Korea (RoK) are to establish a virtual inter-sector working group to bolster bilateral cooperation.

At the online working session (Photo: VNA)

The idea was put forward during an online working session between Chairman of HCM City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong and Acting Mayor of the RoK city Byeon Sung-wan on September 10.

Leaders of the cities agreed that the online session demonstrates both sides’ determination in boosting the cooperative ties in the year marking the 25th anniversary of HCM City-Busan friendship.

Along with preventive measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the community, HCM City is rolling out measures for economic recovery in two phases, Phong said.

The city has been aiding local businesses and working with partner countries to resume economic and tourism activities at an appropriate time in the future.

The Vietnamese Government has created favourable conditions for foreign entrepreneurs, experts, engineers and workers, including those from Busan, to safely enter Vietnam, the official said, adding that HCM City has set up a working group addressing difficulties in this field.

He also highly valued the online trade programme between ASEAN and Busan, slated for September 23, saying it is a new helpful channel providing information for participants to seek partners amid the pandemic.

Vietnam plans to re-open six international air routes this month, including the HCM City-Seoul service, thereby helping cooperation activities between the two countries gradually recover.

In reply, the Acting Mayor of Busan pledged to share experience and support HCM City in battling COVID-19 and consider the city’s specific needs in official development assistance.

Byeon also asked HCM City authorities to assist Busan entrepreneurs in travelling to the city as well as work for the resumption of the air route linking the two localities and the successful organisation of the upcoming ASEAN-Busan online trade programme.