HCM CITY — HCM City is seeking further support from international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) in socio-economic development, said authorities at the annual meeting between the HCM City Steering Board for INGO Affairs and INGOs held on June 7 in the city.

The meeting discussed INGOs’ societal contributions between 2015 and 2017, reviewed INGO activities last year as well as the first five months of the year, and sought feedback from INGOs.

Attending the meeting were a representative of the US Consulate General in HCM City, Pamela Pontius; deputy head of the HCM City Emulation and Commendation Board, Ngô Thị Hoàng Cát; and chairman of the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisation (HUFO) and leader of the HCM City Steering Board for INGO Affairs, Huỳnh Minh Thiện; among others.

Thiện stressed the importance of INGOs’ assistance and cooperation in conducting humanitarian and development projects in HCM City.

“The meaning of humanitarian projects is not only about technical and material support but enhancing the capacity of local staff and fostering mutual understanding between the people of HCM City and other countries,” he said.

“HCM City will continue to create favourable conditions for INGOs,” he said.

On the occasion, the city’s People’s Committee granted merit certificates to 13 INGOs, while HUFO offered certificates to 31 INGOs and seven companies with outstanding contributions to society.

HCM City has 160 INGOs with official licences, including 67 from the US, 61 from Europe, 30 from Asia Pacific and two from Africa, up one organisation compared to last year.

In 2017 and the first five months of 2018, HUFO and members of the HCM City Steering Board for INGO Affairs assisted in legal procedures for two INGOs that ceased to operate; allowed 19 INGOs to organise international conferences; and assisted in visa application in 115 situations, among other activities.

Although the city’s socio-economic development last year witnessed a slight improvement, achieving steady economic growth this year remains a challenging target, Thiện said.

Considering the city’s rapid population growth, it is in need of long-term material and technological support as well as cooperation from the international community, he added.

HCM City’s GDP reached 8.25 per cent, up 0.2 percentage points year-on-year. — VNS