On the morning of February 8, Chairman of the City People's Committee Le Trung Chinh chaired an online meeting with Mayor of Sakai (Japan) Nagafuji Hideki to discuss smart cities, digital transformation, post-Covid promotion of tourism, calling for investment in Da Nang Hi-Tech Park, and activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Japan (September 21, 1973 - September 21, 2023).
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Le Trung Chinh stated that Japan has always been a strategic partner with Da Nang in many fields. Currently, there are more than 215 Japanese businesses, representative offices, and projects in Da Nang making Japan the leading country out of 40 countries and territories investing in the City.
“I am pleased to see that Da Nang and Sakai have implemented many effective cooperation programs in various fields in recent years. In particular, we have conducted meaningful exchange activities such as introducing the art of the tea ceremony of Sakai to the people of Da Nang; exchanging students; exchanging public officials; and a painting exhibition for preschool children. These have gradually become annual activities which receive a lot of attention from people of Da Nang", the Chairman of Da Nang People's Committee said.
Mr. Le Trung Chinh informed Sakai leaders about Da Nang’s socioeconomic recovery and development in 2022 and directions for 2023 as well as the process of building a smart city and digital transformation.
Chairman of the City People's Committee Le Trung Chinh speaking at the meeting
Da Nang propose that in the future, the two localities should pay more attention to improving the effectiveness of support and promotion of economic cooperation; exchange activities in the fields of culture - sport, education - training, and human resources; cooperation to develop “smart cities”; and the reopening of the Da Nang - Sakai flight route.
"I believe that today's meeting will help our two cities understand each other better and foster our mutual friendship, contributing to strengthening cooperation between the two countries," the Chairman said’.
Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Le Trung Chinh invited the Mayor and his colleagues from Sakai to visit Da Nang and attend the Viet Nam - Japan Festival in Da Nang, scheduled in July, celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Japan.
Sakai Mayor Nagafuji Hideki shared that Da Nang and Sakai have many similarities such as attractive cuisine and many tourist attractions. Therefore, the two cities can certainly support each other in promoting tourism in the future.
Regarding attracting investment to Da Nang, Mr. Nagafuji Hideki stated that Da Nang is a potential location for investors from Japan in general and Sakai in particular. Therefore, Sakai will find local businesses with interest in investing in Da Nang.
Mr. Nagafuji Hideki added that the flight routes between Japan and other countries is gradually recovering. This issue needs the support of local authorities and also tourism and transport businesses.
Mr. Nagafuji Hideki hoped that in the future, the two sides would coordinate to organize more events such as cultural exchanges. The two localities will organize more dialogues and seminars between local departments to promote comprehensive exchanges in various fields.
MAI QUANG