HCM CITY — Nguyễn Thành Phong, chairman of HCM City’s People’s Committee, has sought support for setting up business incubators from Israel, which has an established reputation as a start-up nation.

At a meeting with President of Israel Reuven Ruvi Rivlin in HCM City on Thursday, Phong spoke highly of Israel’s technical expertise and management capacity in hi-tech agriculture and other projects underway in the city.

He said he hoped that Israeli businesses would continue partnering with HCM City in areas that are its strengths, such as farming, information technology, tourism and personnel training.

Phong requested Israel to continue offering scholarships to local management officials to improve their skills in agriculture, environment, rural reconstruction, economy and education, among others.

On his part, Rivlin said the agreements signed by the two countries and the upcoming bilateral free trade agreement will lay down an important foundation for their businesses and improve co-operation, raising bilateral ties to a new height.

Talking about his Việt Nam visit, the Israeli leader said the country’s scenic beauty will inspire Israeli youngsters to come to the country and thus contribute to strengthening economic, trade and tourism links.

Collaboration programmes in education will help the two countries’ youngsters to bolster mutual understanding and solidarity and share experiences in fields of interests, Rivlin said.

Responding to HCM City’s proposals, Rivlin said Israeli firms, especially those operating in the city, are ready to share experience and invest in start-ups in Việt Nam.

After the meeting, Phong and Rivlin witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a US$200 million financial healthcare package between Israel’s Jasmine Group and Đất Vàng Real Estate Investment Company.

Earlier, the Israeli president and his wife visited a milch cow farm in Bình Chánh District’s Phạm Văn Hải Commune, which uses Israel’s technological know-how as part of the Dairy Demonstration and Experiment Farm project for 2012-2017.

Later, both leaders attended a business forum and witnessed the signing of another MoU on research and development cooperation between Israel Innovation Authority and National Technology Innovation Fund. — VNS