During his reception for the visiting Minister-President of the Federation Wallonie -Bruxelles Rudy Demotte in Ho Chi Minh City on September 17, Phong affirmed that the municipal authorities and agencies are willing to support the Wallonia Export and Investment Agency (Awex)’s office in the city, in order to further boost economic ties between the two sides.
He also highlighted the need to increase co-operation between Vietnam and Belgium since the Wallonie - Bruxelles Delegation was established in Hanoi 20 years ago, saying that the bilateral relations have been strengthened in many fields in recent years.
Ho Chi Minh City and Belgium also recorded encouraging outcomes in their ties, focusing on seaport development, training and environmental protection, he noted, expressing his hope that the Belgium side will continue providing official development assistance (ODA) capital to HCM City to help it continue implementing canal dredging projects.
For his part, Rudy Demotte said all investment projects of the Wallonie - Bruxelles region in Vietnam, which were mainly in training medical staff, supplying modern equipment in hospitals, transport, technical support and vocational training, cultural and art development, have brought benefit to both sides.
The Wallonie - Bruxelles’ experts gained valuable knowledge from their Vietnamese counterparts’ experience through the projects, he added.
He suggested the two sides step up co-operation through specific projects, especially in culture and economy.
During his stay, Rudy Demotte and his entourage visited several universities, colleges and vocational schools, and a project on flooding prevention in the city.
Rudy Demotte was on an official visit to Vietnam to attend activities marking the 20th founding anniversary of the Wallonie - Bruxelles delegation to Vietnam.
