UK helps Ho Chi Minh City develop urban areas, infrastructure and transport

Traffic in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: Tien Luc/VNA)

On the morning of September 23, in Ho Chi Minh City, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Commonwealth and Development, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the fields of urban development, construction, infrastructure and transportation.

Attending and witnessing the signing ceremony were Mr. Matt Western, Member of the UK Parliament , Trade Envoy of the UK Government to Vietnam; Mr. Iain Frew, UK Ambassador to Vietnam.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and Ms. Alex Smith, Consul General of the United Kingdom in Ho Chi Minh City, the two sides will strengthen their cooperative relationship, creating the foundation and favorable conditions to enhance coordination in the fields of urban development, construction, infrastructure and transportation through the implementation of specific programs and projects.

The agreement also aims to contribute to improving the technical, management and project implementation capacity of Ho Chi Minh City. The two sides will also promote delegation exchanges, creating conditions for businesses to access investment and cooperation opportunities in related fields.

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will increase information exchange on potential and strengths, jointly study the current situation, promote programs, projects and activities to call for cooperation and investment in the fields of urban development, construction, infrastructure and transportation.

Specifically, the two sides cooperate to promote sustainable and smart urban development through experience exchange activities on smart urban planning and management; urban development in the direction of public transport (TOD) through developing TOD policies, researching financial mobilization plans, strategic frameworks, planning, methods of organizing implementation, management and operation of TOD; improving capacity for leaders and officials in Ho Chi Minh City in the field of urban management and development.

In the infrastructure sector, cooperation focuses on exchanging and supporting experience in planning, management, maintenance, upgrading and exploitation; researching advanced technology and engineering solutions; attracting investment and mobilizing resources for key infrastructure projects; and improving management and operation capacity of technical works.

Regarding transportation, the two sides cooperate in developing a modern, smart, and sustainable urban transportation system; cooperate in applying technology and training human resources in the railway industry; share experiences in planning, management, maintenance, and upgrading; deploy the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in transportation and urban railway projects; research and develop smart transportation solutions and modern forms of public transportation.

At the signing ceremony, Mr. Matt Western affirmed that this agreement is the foundation for future cooperation, demonstrating the UK's commitment to government and local cooperation in developing public transport infrastructure and building Ho Chi Minh City into a modern, highly inclusive city.

The UK is committed to accompanying and sharing experiences in planning, financial mobilization and public-private partnership, contributing to economic development and improving the quality of life for the Vietnamese people.

MP Matt Western emphasized that the UK is committed to accompanying and sharing with Vietnamese partners in planning, financial mobilization, and cooperation in the private sector to serve the development of public transport infrastructure, contributing to economic development and improving the quality of life of Vietnamese people.

On behalf of the City's leaders, Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong emphasized that, based on more than 50 years of diplomatic relations and 15 years of the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership, Ho Chi Minh City is proud to be one of the localities with many contributions to bilateral cooperation.

Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong expressed his hope that the City will continue to receive support and cooperation from the UK in the development process, thereby contributing to the increasingly substantial and effective development of the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership./.

Source: https://ttbc-hcm.gov.vn/vuong-quoc-anh-giup-thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-phat-trien-do-thi-ha-tang-va-gtvt-1019623.html