France wants Vietnam to become a gateway to a larger Asian market, and vice versa France will help Vietnam penetrate the lucrative European market, Mr Fillon told Le Thanh Hai, Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee.

He said French businesses are keen to invest in HCM City’s urban infrastructure construction, transport development, water management, energy and financial services.

He spoke highly of the results of the current decentralisation cooperation model between the two countries, saying it has largely contributed to promoting effective France-Vietnam cooperation.

Secretary Hai briefed his guest on the city’s socio-economic development potential and the results of cooperation programmes between the city and France’s Lyon city and Rhone Alpes region.

He thanked the French government for providing EUR30 million to the Municipal Development Fund and affirmed that the aid has been used effectively to increase the quality of lives of local people, especially the poor.

He welcomed French businesses’ plans to invest in the city’s infrastructure and public transport projects and said the city will support the building of Colette school in District 3 for the French community there. He also proposed that the French government support cooperation between HCM City and other French localities.