(VOVworld) - European Commission President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso left Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday, concluding a 2-day visit to Vietnam.

At a reception for President Barroso, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan praised the relations between Vietnam and the European Union over the past few years during the global economic and financial crisis. Vietnam and the EC have stepped up negotiations to soon adopt the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which, once approved, will bolster cooperation and mutual benefit. Quan said Ho Chi Minh City has received much attention from EU investors who are currently conducting 833 projects with registered capital of almost 9 billion USD. Trade between Ho Chi Minh City and the EU has grown. This year’s exports from Ho Chi Minh City to the EU already total 2.1 billion USD and imports from the EU total 1.2 billion USD.

EC President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso meets with EU businesses in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

Barroso said most EU firms are pleased with their investment in Vietnam and see a prospect for further cooperation, adding: “I’m sure that the FTA will provide an even more stable and reliable framework for investment and closer relations. In our meeting with EU businesses, they were delighted to meet young, talented Vietnamese people. But they all agreed on a need for more training for Vietnamese human resources. This is the area that we’re very good at so European countries can bring a lot to Vietnam.”

During his visit to Ho Chi Minh City, Barroso met with EU entrepreneurs there and toured the Museum of War Vestiges, the Grand Cathedral, and the city Post Office.