Delegates at the second HCM City Friendship Dialogue 2024. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The conference of mayors, part of the second HCM City Friendship Dialogue 2024, took place in the southern metropolis on September 24, with the adoption of a presidential statement by leaders from HCM City and 37 foreign localities with friendship ties with the city.

In the statement, the local leaders committed to fostering partnerships and a collaborative environment to support industrial evolution, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity.

They agreed to share knowledge and experience while advancing bilateral and multilateral projects and initiatives that promote green, digital, circular, and sharing economies, ensuring that industrial transformation enhances urban ecosystems.

To facilitate cooperation, leaders encouraged the appointment of liaison officers in each locality.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Phan Văn Mãi underscored the city's dual strategy of green and digital transformation, aiming to create a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economy. With hi-tech industries currently contributing about 23 per cent to the city's GDP, the goal is to boost this share to 40 per cent by 2030.

International cooperation, Mai stressed, is vital to maximising the benefits of industrial transformation while mitigating potential impacts.

Federico Penino, Director of Budget Planning under Uruguay’s Montevideo Government, highlighted Uruguay's strategy to develop a modern industrial sector, stressing that Montevideo wants to attract investment in biotechnology, agriculture, innovation, tourism, and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Director of Foreign Trade for the Mayor's Office of San Francisco Mark Chandler underlined the role of education, training, and policies aimed at improving the quality of life to attract a skilled workforce, while robust infrastructure and an open environment for technological development are vital to draw investors. — VNS