At the meeting. Photo baohaiphong.gov.vn

OAKLAND—Lê Tiến Châu, Secretary of Hải Phòng City's Party Committee, was received by Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao on November 16.

The meeting marked a significant step in fostering collaboration between the two cities, highlighting the potential for economic partnerships.

Oakland City, renowned as one of the largest port cities in the United States, has a history of cooperation with various localities in Việt Nam.  Châu took the opportunity to present an overview of Hải Phòng City, the largest port city in Northern Việt Nam, boasting a Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) exceeding 13 per cent. Several global corporations, including General Electric, Chevron, LG, Bridgestone, AEON, SK, and Pegatron, have chosen Hải Phòng for investment, underscoring the city's appeal on the international stage.

A crucial factor contributing to Hải Phòng's success is its economic zones and industrial parks, offering preferential policies to attract investments. The city takes pride in possessing a well-developed and modern transportation infrastructure, featuring seaports and international airports. The Lạch Huyện International Deepwater Port, capable of accommodating 200,000-ton vessels, facilitates direct cargo transportation to Europe and America without the need for transhipment through regional ports.

Hải Phòng City, equipped with high-quality human resources, is positioned to provide skilled workers to potential investors. Notably, the Hạ Long Bay - Cát Bà Archipelago complex, recognised as a world natural heritage site, holds significant potential as a prime tourist and resort destination.

Secretary Lê Tiến Châu assured that Hải Phòng is prepared to create favourable conditions for U.S. investors, particularly in areas such as the construction, operation, and management of seaports, human resource education and training, and medicine.

Responding to these discussions, Mayor Shengthao of Oakland City emphasised the city's rich history and cultural heritage, highlighting its strength in the cinema industry. Oakland's port stands as one of the largest export hubs in Northern California, with substantial cargo exchange with Asia. Việt Nam currently ranks as the second-largest import and fifth-largest partner with Oakland Port.

Mayor Shengthao expressed hope that the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding would pave the way for enhanced cooperation across various sectors, emphasising the strengths of both cities in seaport operations and fostering import-export growth between Việt Nam and the United States.

The meeting concluded with the leaders of Hải Phòng and Oakland cities formally signing the memorandum of understanding, solidifying their commitment to economic development and investment attraction. This landmark agreement marks a significant stride towards deeper collaboration and mutually beneficial partnerships between Hải Phòng and Oakland. VNS