General Secretary of Metropolis Felip Roca Blasco said that the visit was an important event for Barcelona, especially in the context of its policy of developing relations with Asian countries.
As an open and dynamic city, Barcelona wants to seek cooperation opportunities with Vietnamese localities, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, he stressed.
The general secretary also took this occasion to invite Vietnamese cities to attend exhibitions held in Barcelona, including the 2023 Smart City Expo World Congress slated for November.
Tran Thanh Man asserted that Vietnam always opens its door and creates a favourable investment environment for foreign businesses, including those from Spain.
Many businessmen in Ho Chi Minh City hope to explore investment opportunities in Barcelona, he said, proposing the general secretary and other city leaders contribute to promoting trade relations between the two cities in particular and strengthening the Vietnam - Spain strategic partnership in general.
Meeting Pau Guardans Cambo, Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Barcelona, Man expressed his belief that with his reputation and experience, the honorary consul with help boost cooperation between the two countries and their localities in various fields; and protect the rights and interests of the State and citizens of Vietnam.
Pau Guardans Cambo affirmed that he will help boost cooperation in economics, trade, investment, culture, education and tourism between Barcelona and Catalonia region with Vietnam, thus contributing to the development of the Spain-Vietnam strategic partnership in the coming time.
Tran Thanh Man also visited the Port of Barcelona which has had relations with Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Vung Tau and Quy Nhon ports.
Statistics from the Port Management Board show that in 2022, freight trading between Vietnam and Spain through this port reached 610,321 tonnes, up 25.6% year-on-year. The volume of Vietnam's containers transshipped through this port also increased by 26.9% to a total of 48,423 units.
Tran Thanh Man suggested the two sides strengthen cooperation in shipping and tourism, as there remains huge potential for bilateral collaboration in these fields.
He left for Hanoi on March 18, concluding his working visit to Spain./.
