The State President Triet made the request at a conference held in the resort city of Da Lat on August 26 to review the results of socio-economic cooperation between HCM City and Lam Dong province from 2004-2009. 

President Triet said the two localities need to join efforts in attracting more investors, speeding up the reform of investment procedures, sharing experiences in capital mobilisation, project site clearance, human resources development and building investment mechanisms. 

Besides creating incentives for business, HCM City and Lam Dong should deal with companies, which have been licensed but have no plans to carry out projects or intend to “re-sell” their projects, he stressed. 

Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Le Thanh Hai said that although the results of cooperation have yet to match their potential, the two sides have laid an important foundation for closer cooperation in the years to come. 

HCM City and Lam Dong province embarked on their bilateral cooperation programme in 2004. Since then, the two localities have concluded a wide range of deals covering agriculture, industry, tourism, trade, healthcare and education. 

The city’s enterprises have to date invested in 212 projects in the Central Highland province. Businesses from the two localities have also worked together to organise numerous fairs, showcasing the latest technology and equipment used in production as well as seminars discussing ways to promote investment and human resources development.