Ho Chi Minh City wants to continue to be an important partner of India in the fields of economy-trade, health care, information technology and clean energy, said Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Phan Thi Thang.

Indian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Madan Mohan Sethi at the event

During a ceremony marking the 72nd anniversary of India’s Republic Day held by the Indian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on January 26, Thang said with161 projects worth over US$74 million, India is now placed 25th out of 110 countries and territories investing in the city. Two-way trade reached nearly US$1.5 billion last year.

Attention was paid to holding exchange, economic-cultural and education cooperation activities each year. In particular, the Indian Consulate General suggested training a contingent of medical staff for the city, she said.

Vice Chairwoman of the HCM City People’s Committee
Phan Thi Thang speaks at the event

According to her, Ho Chi Minh City and New Delhi will hold ceremonies to place the statues of leader Mahatma Gandhi and President Ho Chi Minh in respective locality to foster friendship between the two cities and nations.

Indian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Madan Mohan Sethi, for his part, described Vietnam as a main pillar in India’s Act East Policy and an important partner of India’s Indo-Pacific Vision. The two countries also share similar stances on global issues.

To lift two-way trade to US$15 billion, he said the Consulate General held a number of online workshops on trade and investment in various fields.

In the near future, India will connect Vietnamese exporters with Indian importers, as well as Vietnamese localities with India states, boost multifaceted exchange with Vietnam, thereby opening more opportunities to tighten people-to-people friendship, contributing to lifting bilateral ties to a greater height, he said.