HCM City looks to enhance partnerships with AstraZeneca
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai on April 12 received Pascal Soriot, CEO of the UK-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology company AstraZeneca, who is on a visit to the southern metropolis of Vietnam to discuss ways for fostering bilateral cooperation.
Welcoming his guest, Mai said as HCM City grows into science - technology and healthcare centre of Vietnam and the region, it can work with AstraZeneca to augment ties in health-related scientific research.
He held that the two sides share common development orientations and boast much cooperation potential. Given this, they should consider cooperation programmes early, especially in the fields matching his city’s priority and AstraZeneca’s strength such as developing a medical research centre, vaccines, biologicals, and medical equipment.
HCM City pledges to create the best possible conditions for scientific research, startups, and businesses in this regard, and hopes to receive the firm’s assistance and experience in building relevant regulations and policies, he said.
Appreciating AstraZeneca’s support for Vietnam in COVID-19 prevention and control, he highly valued the company’s vaccine, which has helped the city and other localities of Vietnam to overcome the pandemic.
HCM City hopes that aside from business partnerships, AstraZeneca will increase other cooperation activities to help boost the local healthcare sector. As an economic hub closely connected with economic regions of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, it is always open to international investors, Mai added.
Giving an introduction of his firm, Soriot said AstraZeneca and HCM City share a common development vision and major cooperation opportunities.
The company is ready to cooperate with HCM City in the areas of shared concern such as biochemical research and biological product manufacturing. It is also willing to help the city carry out advanced healthcare solutions to contribute to local development, he went on.
AstraZenec also wishes and pledges to coordinate closely with HCM City in sharing experience, improving cooperation effectiveness, and developing pharmaceuticals, biochemical products, and vaccines, the CEO said.