Ho Chi Minh City seeks to deepen partnership with Spain in key sectors

Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc made this statement during his meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Thursday, as part of the latter's official visit to Vietnam from April 8 to 10.

Duoc expressed his belief that Prime Minister Sánchez's visit, accompanied by a high-level Spanish delegation, would provide fresh impetus to promote trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

This marked the first visit by a Spanish prime minister to Vietnam, at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1977.

Bilateral relations have developed fruitfully since then, with the two nations elevating their relationship to a strategic partnership toward the future in December 2009, making Spain the first EU country to establish such a partnership with Vietnam.

Regarding cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Spanish partners, Duoc stated that the local government is committed to providing optimal conditions for businesses from both sides to collaborate effectively and sustainably, thereby advancing the Vietnam-Spain strategic partnership.

He noted that Spain currently has 44 investment projects in the city, with a total registered capital of $16.2 million. Bilateral trade turnover exceeds $400 million but remains modest compared to the significant potential of both sides.

Duoc emphasized that the city, a young and dynamic metropolis experiencing robust development across various sectors, actively seeks cooperation with foreign partners, including Spanish enterprises.

The city seeks to promote cooperation with Spain in key fields such as transport infrastructure, tourism, digital transformation, port development, clean energy, and people-to-people exchanges.

Currently, Spain ranks as Vietnam's fifth-largest trading partner within the European Union, while Vietnam is Spain's largest trading partner in ASEAN, Duoc commented.

In response, PM Sánchez congratulated Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City in particular, on the 50th anniversary of Reunification Day (April 30), and informed Duoc that he had productive meetings with Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi.

The two sides signed multiple cooperation agreements across various sectors, reflecting a commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation toward establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership in the near future, Sánchez stated.

The Spanish PM affirmed that Spanish enterprises are eager to contribute to Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City's robust development, especially in sectors where Spanish companies possess strengths and experience.

According to PM Sánchez, Vietnam and Spain are among the world's most dynamically developing economies and possess complementary factors.

Spain was the first European country to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement in 2022 and is actively expanding trade cooperation with ASEAN countries, particularly with Vietnam.

Several areas of the city's development interest align with the strengths of Spanish enterprises, including transportation infrastructure development, port development, renewable energy, urban water management, and agriculture.

On this occasion, the Spanish prime minister thanked Ho Chi Minh City leaders for their support in successfully organizing the Vietnam-Spain Business Forum earlier that day. He attended the event and delivered a speech there.

Sánchez also expressed high appreciation for the city's facilitation of Spanish enterprises operating and conducting business in the city.

Later on Thursday, PM Sánchez departed Ho Chi Minh City, concluding his official visit to Vietnam.