Year-end reception for foreigners

Mr. Pham Van Hieu (L), Permanent Vice Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the City People's Council exchanged talks with Mr. Jean-Luc Voisin (R), Founder and Chairman of Les Vergers du Mekong.

In the evening of December 9, 2022, the Department of External Relations, under the direction of the City People's Committee, organized a reception for foreigners. This is an annual activity of Can Tho to connect with foreign experts, businesses/entrepreneurs, lecturers, and students currently living, working and studying in Can Tho.

At this year's reception, there were also the participation of Mr. Sok Dareth, Consul General of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and Mr. Wei Huaxiang, Consul General of  the People's Republic of China in Ho Chi Minh City.

Speaking at his welcoming remarks, Mr. Duong Tan Hien, Permanent Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee acknowledged positive contributions of foreigners to cultural exchange activities and appreciated the strengthening of friendship and international cooperation, contributing to the city's socio-economic development. The city leader also highlighted primary socio-economic targets that Can Tho achieved in 2022 thanks to the timely direction of the central government and worthwhile endeavours of the local authority. In particular, the city's GRDP increased by more than 9.88% compared to 2021; total investment capital rose by 38.47% compared to 2021; total number of visitors to the City is more than 5.1 million, exceeding 28% of the plan, and 1.4 times higher than that in 2021. In addition, Can Tho has been taking advantage of the terms stipulated in the National Assembly's Resolution No. 45/2022/QH15 on piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Can Tho City to maximize its potentials and strengths, bringing the City to develop strongly in the coming time.

In response, Mr. Jean-Luc Voisin, Founder and Chairman of Les Vergers du Mekong, located in Tra Noc Industrial Park, represented foreigners to share his experience living in the City. Mr. Voisin said that he established his company in 2000 and Can Tho had been his right choice for the business. He thanked the local authority for always supporting his Les Vergers du Mekong, and suggested the development of an international port so that transportation of exported products could be faster and more cost-saving.

The reception attracted more than 100 foreigners with various nationalities, such as Australia, Benin, Cambodia, China, Nigeria, Japan, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Philippines, Kenya, the Republic of Korea, Germany, Thailand, France, Cuba, Indonesia, India, Canada, Uganda, Malaysia, etc.

Mr. Duong Tan Hien (R), Permanent Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, with the Consul General of China (L) and Consul General of Cambodia (M) in Ho Chi Minh City during the reception.