The event can also be seen as a good venue for Vietnamese and French businesses to exchange information and experience, seek business opportunities, cooperation and partnership. The seminar will be held by UBIFRANCE (the French Trade Commission), with its main responsibility for promoting cooperation between French companies and local ones.

During their visit French businesses are expected to introduce their advanced technologies and products to Vietnamese partners.

According to French assessments, Vietnam’s population increases in more than 1 million/year along with the rapid urbanization, which requires the development of urban railway system. Under the master plan for 2020 the local railway system will account for 13 per cent of passenger transportation and 14 per cent of cargo transportation. At present, the construction project of North-South high speed railway is being taken into consideration.

According to Ha Noi Transport Master Plan, the city will have 8 urban railway lines. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City is planned to construct 7 metro lines and 3 rail trains with the total length of 160 km.

France is one of major financial investors in these projects, especially the construction of a pilot metro line in Ha Noi (Line No 3), which is expected to be finished in 2016, and Line No 2.

French railway transportation technology and equipment are widely recognized.

On October 30th, under the sponsorship of the French Ambassador to Vietnam, the first urban transportation seminar will be held in SOFITEL Plaza Hotel in Hanoi. After the event, the French guests will have several b2b meetings with local businesses.

On November 1st, the French delegation will move to Ho Chi Minh City and have meetings with the city leaders and related bodies, agencies and companies in the city as well.

Vietnam seeks more ODA from France

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has suggested France increase official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam and boost bilateral relations, especially in defence and security.

At a reception for visiting French Minister of Labour Michel Sapin in Hanoi on October 26, the PM thanked France for its ODA to Vietnam in vocational training.

He expressed his wish that the French Government will join Vietnam’s efforts in developing bilateral cooperation, especially in economics, trade, investment, education and training, science and technology.

The two sides should cooperate in organising activities to celebrate the 40 th anniversary of Vietnam-France diplomatic ties in 2013 as well as strengthen coordination at international forums, he said.

Dung took the occasion to extend his invitation to French President Francois Hollande to visit Vietnam next year.

Sapin, who is in Vietnam to attend the 4 th ASEM Labour and Employment Ministers’ Conference, affirmed that the French Government wants to promote cooperation with Vietnam in all aspects.