Ho Chi Minh City seeks to boost ties with Canada's Alberta in labor, food, and wood processing

Deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City administration Vo Van Hoan made the investment call during a meeting on Monday with RJ Sigurdson, Alberta's Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, who is on a three-day visit from Monday to Wednesday to strengthen trade and investment ties.

During the meeting, Hoan highlighted Ho Chi Minh City's significant development potential in the near future.

Under the imminent merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces, the city's area is expected to expand to over 7,000 square kilometers from 2,095 square kilometers, and its population to grow to approximately 15 million from 9.5 million.

This expansion will open up new opportunities for urban development, industrial growth, logistics, and port infrastructure, laying a strong foundation for enhanced regional connectivity and international integration.

Hoan expressed the city's desire to strengthen cooperation with international partners, including Canada, in priority sectors such as finance, high technology, green industries, logistics, education, and innovation.

Regarding specific cooperation with Alberta, Hoan emphasized strong potential, particularly in labor resources, wood processing, and food production.

He reaffirmed the city's commitment to fostering a favorable environment for foreign businesses, including Canadian enterprises, to invest and operate profitably and sustainably.

Hoan proposed that both sides promote trade and investment through exhibitions and programs that facilitate direct engagement between businesses from both sides.

Minister Sigurdson highlighted Alberta's strengths in sustainable, environmentally friendly high-tech agriculture and water resource management.

He also pointed to the province's capabilities in energy, oil, and gas.

He said he would work to strengthen connections and promote Ho Chi Minh City's investment environment to Canadian businesses.

Sigurdson also called for regular, in-depth dialogue to exchange information on potential areas of cooperation and to deepen trade ties between the two localities.

He expressed confidence that Ho Chi Minh City and Alberta would launch various cooperative initiatives in the near future, contributing to stronger Vietnam-Canada relations.

Alberta sees Vietnam as a strategic gateway to the Indo-Pacific region, aligning with its broader strategy to expand into high-growth markets, the Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City stated on its verified Facebook page.

Vietnam was Alberta's second-largest export market in the ASEAN bloc in 2024, with exports reaching C$165.4 million (US$120.4 million), according to the diplomatic mission.