The Secretary of HCM City’s Party Committee, Nguyễn Thiện Nhân (right), received visiting National Secretary of the French Communist Party (PCF) Fabien Roussel in HCM City on Sunday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY – The Secretary of HCM City’s Party Committee, Nguyễn Thiện Nhân, received visiting National Secretary of the French Communist Party (PCF) Fabien Roussel in HCM City on Sunday.

Welcoming the guest, Nhân expressed his belief that it will be an important milestone in the two Parties’ relations, thus enhancing mutual understanding, friendship and co-operation.

At the meeting, Nhân said the city hopes French enterprises will expand their involvement in HCM City's development, especially through its smart city project, urban transport and start-up projects.

Roussel stressed that the fine relationship between the two Communist parties should be maintained through seminars, delegation exchanges, and cooperative programmes.
Underlining the importance of peace maintenance, he said he would canvass French parliamentarians to seek support for the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.

He said that his party backs French enterprises’ participation in business and investment activities in Việt Nam, adding that he will ask the French Government to create more favourable conditions for them to gain access to the Vietnamese market, including HCM City.
France has 250 investment projects worth US$261 million in Việt Nam, ranking 15th out of the 106 nations and territories that have invested in HCM City. Two-way trade between France and Việt Nam surpassed $850 million last year. – VNS