HCM CITY — HCM City next year will focus more on attracting foreign investment to further socio-economic development, especially in the technology, education, culture and tourism fields, a city official said at a foreign affairs meeting on Sunday in the city.

Lê Thanh Liêm, vice chairman of the city People’s Committee, said a number of major foreign affairs events had helped attract investors. 

Among these, the HCM City Economic Forum introduced to foreign investors the city’s plan to transform the eastern area, including districts 2, 9 and Thủ Đức, into an innovative hub.

To transform the eastern area, the forum promoted connections between businesses, research institutes and the Government.

Liêm has asked the city’s Department of Foreign Affairs to continue to implement many diplomatic activities in association with cultural and economic exchanges, and attract more foreign investment in technology in particular.

Speaking at the meeting, Bùi Thanh Sơn, deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke highly of the achievements by the Department of Foreign Affairs this year.

The city offered consultation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leaders of the city and the southern provinces to implement foreign affairs activities of the Party and the State.

Sơn has asked the department to work with other localities to create a good impression of international friends.

Lê Quang Long, director of HCM City Department of Foreign Affairs, said the department next year would continue to offer consultation to city leaders to implement foreign affairs activities with a focus on cooperation for international integration. 

The department will also assist enterprises in the city to identify strengths and the potential to access markets as Việt Nam will be implementing a number of new trade agreements, he said.

In 2018, HCM City organised nearly 50 foreign affairs events, including festivals about ASEAN cultural and trade exchanges.

It also organised a number of talks between city leaders and consulates about Resolution 54 passed by the National Assembly, which allows HCM city to have more financial autonomy. 

This year, the city attracted foreign investment of more than US$7 billion and welcomed more than 7.5 million international visitors.

Two diplomatic events were voted in the 10 most important events organised in the city in 2018, he noted.

The city welcomed more than 110 international delegations, organised more than 170 meetings with foreign partners, and signed eight international agreements. 

The city now contributes 23 per cent to national GDP, 30 per cent of State revenue, 16 per cent of industrial output, and 15 per cent of exports.

The meeting was organised by HCM City Department of Foreign Affairs. — VNS