Vietnam has been executing transport agreements with many neighboring countries to facilitate cargo transportation and promote trade, investment and tourism activities in the region, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Hong Truong said.  Truong made the statement at the 37th conference of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)’s Transportation Working Group (TPTWG) opened in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday, which focuses on transport connection in the region and the world. During the four-day meeting, attendants will discuss green transportation for sustainable development, multimodal and smart transport through a safe transport system, and developing environmentally-friendly transport for sustainable and fair growth. Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Hong Truong said that Vietnam has negotiated, signed and executed transport agreements with many neighboring countries, thereby strengthening transport links to facilitate the movement of people and goods, and promote trade, investment and tourism activities.    Vietnam is also strengthening investment in its inland waterway, inshore transport and railway systems to develop transport in a sustainable way and minimize impacts on the environment and climate, Truong said. Accordingly, Vietnam will invest the waterway in the Red River Delta and Mekong Delta, build more quays and wharfs, and expand the existing vessel fleets so that sea cargo transportation can make up 40-60 percent of the total volume of goods transported by 2020. Meanwhile, Hanoi and HCMC will strive to have 1-3 railway systems by 2020 and five systems by 2030, he added. When asked by reporters why metro projects in HCMC have been developed slowly, the official blamed the tardiness on problems in site clearance and compensation. He said the ministry will work with the city authorities to remove hindrances to these projects. The conference, which is held in Vietnam for the second time following the 2006 event in Hanoi, was attended by about 220 delegates from 21 APEC economies.