Belgium seeks to link Europe’s second-largest seaport with Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee chairman Nguyen Van Duoc received Belgian Ambassador Leenknegt on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Ambassador Leenknegt suggested that Antwerp could become a partner city of Ho Chi Minh City, noting that the two cities share similarities in their development strategies as major port cities and have considerable potential for cooperation.

Chairman Duoc said Ho Chi Minh City is developing the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port complex with the ambition of becoming an international transshipment hub.

The area offers significant opportunities for cooperation with Belgium, which is home to one of Europe’s most important transshipment ports.

During his visit to Belgium in October, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam visited the port system of Antwerp and held meetings with local partners to discuss potential cooperation in port operations and logistics.

Strengthening bilateral cooperation

At the reception, the city’s leader praised Ambassador Leenknegt for his proactive efforts to promote business connections and partnerships despite having recently taken office.

He also acknowledged the ambassador’s visit to the Ho Chi Minh City Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin.

Belgium is one of the city’s important partners in Europe, said chairman Duoc.

Between January and October, bilateral trade topped US$658 million.

Belgium currently has 62 investment projects in the city, with a total registered capital of nearly $73 million.

He called for stronger cooperation between local authorities, closer business connections, and greater efforts to promote trade and investment.

Ho Chi Minh City also hopes Belgian firms will take a greater interest in its investment environment, particularly in high technology, digital transformation, and energy.

Chairman Duoc said the city is prioritizing the development of its healthcare sector and pharmaceutical industry, while Belgium has considerable strengths in pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing.

He expects the ambassador to help connect businesses from both sides to facilitate cooperation and investment.

Regarding high technology and semiconductors, he noted that the southern metropolis has a relatively strong pool of skilled workers and a well-developed technology business ecosystem, while Belgium is home to renowned companies and institutions in chip production.

In response, Ambassador Leenknegt affirmed that trade and investment are among the key priorities in his agenda to foster bilateral ties.

In October, he led a delegation of businesses from Belgium’s Flanders region to meet with port partners in Ho Chi Minh City.

For his latest Ho Chi Minh City visit, he brought another business delegation from Wallonia to explore potential business and investment opportunities.

On semiconductors and high-quality workforce development, the ambassador said Belgium’s semiconductor research and technology ecosystem offers substantial opportunities for cooperation with Vietnam.

He expressed confidence that connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Belgian research institutions and businesses would pave the way for future collaboration in training and developing a skilled semiconductor engineering workforce.