HCM City People's Committee Chairman Le Hoang Quan on November 20 received Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy and Vice Chancellor of Germany Sigma Gabriel who is making a visit to the city for 14th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK 14).
At a reception for the German guest on November 20, Quan lauded the growing cooperative relations between the HCMC and Germany, prominently evidenced by two-way trade volume targeting to hit US$2 billion this year from US$1.6 billion recorded over the past years.
In particular, HCM City and German states have always maintained fine cooperation in economics, education and health. Germany has also poured US$200 million in the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong metro line 2 construction project.
German Deputy Prime Minister told his host that the purpose of his visit is to promote operations of small and medium-sized German enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam through the APK 14- Germany’s largest economic event in the region which offers a good opportunity for businesses to beef up stronger cooperation in the future.
German firms are very keen to invest in the Vietnamese market, including Ho Chi Minh City, said Gabriel, noting after the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong metro line 2 construction project, German companies will shift their investment to other infrastructure projects in the city.
He expressed his hope that the municipal administration will provide further support for German firms’ operations by intensifying administrative reform and ensuring transparency of economic management.
