A corner of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: vov.vn

Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Le Thanh Hai on May 26 had separate meetings with officials of the Republic of Korea (RoK) during his working visit to the country, which aimed to further strengthen all-around links between the two countries and their localities.

At a meeting with Chairman of the ruling Saenuri Party, Kim Moo-sung, Hai expressed his hope that the Saenuri will share its experience in party building.

Kim Moo-sung said the increasingly enhanced ties between his Party and the Communist Party of Vietnam and the cooperation agreement for the 2015-2016 signed between the two parties are strong foundations for the two nations and their localities to forge connections in the time ahead.

RoK groups always give top priority to recruiting Vietnamese labourers to work in the country, he added.

During his working session with Speaker of the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s National Assembly (NA) Chung Ui-wha, Hai stressed that Vietnam, and HCM City in particular, wish to be provided with support from the RoK side in fostering Vietnam’s development, adding that he hopes the RoK ministries and sectors will seek effective measures to expand links with Vietnam.

The Vietnamese guest paid courtesy visits to RoK Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Yoon Sang-jick and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lee Dong Phil, during which Hai affirmed that the recent signing of Vietnam-RoK free trade agreement will be a crucial base speeding up bilateral investment and trade activities, contributing to realising 70 billion USD two-way trade goal by 2020.

He shared his desire that the two RoK ministers will encourage and create favorable conditions for Korean small and-medium-sized enterprises operating in the support industry, high-tech agriculture and food processing to increase their investments in Vietnam and HCM City.

Yoon Sang-jick asserted that his country is willing to share its experience and assist Vietnam and HCM City to develop the support industry in the future.

Receiving the Vietnamese official, Mayor of Seoul Park Won Soon spoke of the vital role played by HCM City in Vietnam’s development, stressing that Seoul is keen on setting up multifaceted cooperation with the Vietnamese city, especially in urban planning and architecture, tourism and industry.

The Mayor said he hopes HCM City’s leaders will facilitate Korean and Seoul businesses to seek investment opportunities in the city.

While working with President of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Kim Young Mok, Secretary Hai highlighted the relations between the agency with Vietnam, while expressing his gratitude to KOICA’s assistance to Vietnam.

In its integration and development process, Vietnam wants to receive more support from KOICA in projects related to sanitation and environment, solid waste treatment, urban traffic, climate change and rising sea levels.

The same day, the Vietnamese guest also met with representatives from the the Korean Foundation for International Exchange.

Bilateral trade reached 30.3 billion USD in 2014, making the RoK Vietnam's third-largest trading partner, after China and the US. The RoK is the leading investor in Vietnam with 4,140 valid projects and a combined capital of 37.43 billion USD as of the end of 2014.

Source: VNA