Minister Gucht made the statement during his meeting with HCM City Mayor Le Hoang Quan on June 13. He also revealed plans for Belgian businesses to invest in building five-star hotel chains in Hanoi and HCM City, as well as developing tourism infrastructure projects.

Mayor Quan outlined possibilities for Belgium investment and cooperation in developing residential areas and the tertiary education system, building seaports and international airports.

The Belgian Minister thanked the municipal authorities for facilitating the expansion of his country’s businesses and trade organisations’ activities in the city.

He expressed his pleasure at the effective cooperation between HCM City and Eastern Flander and Liege, and said that cooperation among the two countries’ localities plays an important role in bilateral ties.

The same day, Minister Gucht and his entourage left the southern commercial hub, concluding their visit to Vietnam.