(VOVworld) – Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee received Irish President Michael Higgins and his wife on Friday during their State visit to Vietnam. Mr. Phong said he hoped Irish businesses would expand their investment in the city in agriculture, food processing, dairy production, and IT. He also asked Ireland to facilitate for the Vietnamese garment, leather footwear, and processed food industries as well as agricultural produce and handicraft products to be exported to Ireland.

Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee, and Irish President Michael Higgins (Photo: VNA)

President Higgins said Ireland would boost cooperation with Ho Chi Minh City in high-tech agriculture and biochemistry technology.

President Higgins and Chairman Phong witnessed the signing of cooperative agreements between Irish and Vietnamese agencies in education, aviation, research support, and the protection of biodiversity.