Expatriates showed their high determination to work with Ho Chi Minh City's authorities and people in turning the city into a major centre of economics, trade, science and technology in Southeast Asia during the Conference of Overseas Vietnamese 2016.

Speaking at the closing ceremony in the city on November 13, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Dinh La Thang said HCM City is honoured to host the event to seek new ideas for planning – sustainable development; human resources; science – technology; and investment – market.

Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Dinh La Thang speaking at the conference

He added that local authorities recognised the participants’ constructive opinions, and pledged to work with relevant departments and agencies to improve the quality of life of local residents.

More than 50 reports were presented at the conference, concentrating on the application of digital technology in healthcare, public management, environment, and agriculture as well as developing tertiary education models and promoting innovations, in order to build the southern metropolis into a smart city, and a safe and civilised urban area.

The panels also put forth measures to boost investment and improve the business climate in the city.

More than 400,000 Vietnamese from HCM City residing abroad work in hi-tech fields, making up close to 10 percent of the number of Vietnamese expatriates.

Remittances poured into the city through official channels were estimated at 3.25 billion USD from January to September, up 4 percent year on year, mostly sourced from the US and Europe.

Source: VNA