He made the statement while meeting French Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Vincent Floreani and Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Vietnam Fabrice Richy on October 12.
Vietnam and France have enjoyed ties in various fields, Nhan said, noting that Ho Chi Minh City has been home to many cooperation projects between the two countries, including Ho Chi Minh City Financial Investment Company, Hiep Phuoc port and Franco-Vietnamese Hostpital.
Ho Chi Minh City wants the AFD to continue its efforts to promote relations between France and the Vietnamese southern hub, he added.
Secretary Nhan said that the city is in need of support in transport infrastructure planning for socio-economic development of a special urban area of 10-15 million people.
The city is prioritising investment in ring roads connecting with neighbouring provinces, metro lines, Tan Son Nhat International Airport and other transport projects to ease traffic jams.
In addition, floods, fresh water for local people and the preservation of historic relic sites are also challenges for the city, Secretary Nhan said, expressing his hope that the AFD will support the city with both finance and skills.
According to the French Consul General, Ho Chi Minh City is home to 80 percent of French investment in Vietnam and houses a lot of French architectural works.
He said that French Government wants to work with Ho Chi Minh City in infrastructure development and cooperate with local businesses to branch out economy and trade.
Meanwhile, Richy stated that the AFD and French investors are interested in the second stage of the metro line No.2 Ben Thanh- Tham Luong and sustainable and green public transport system in the city.
Along with French resources, the AFD will mobilise others from the EU to help Ho Chi Minh City develop infrastructure and handle other issues in urban development, he said, adding that the move will help consolidate relations between the two nations.
