Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Viet Nam meets with Mr. Nguyen Thang Phong, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee

On the 12th of March 2020, Mr. Prasanna Gamage, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Viet Nam, met with Mr. Nguyen Thang Phong, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, at the Headquarters of the People’s Committee, during his official visit to Ho Chi Minh City.

At the outset, assuring his fullest support and cooperation, the Chairman conveyed his best wishes to the Ambassador for a successful tenure in Viet Nam. Mr. Phong recalled warm and friendly bilateral relations between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka while referring to the three visits made by late President Ho Chi Minh to Sri Lanka. He appreciated Sri Lanka’s longstanding friendship and solidarity with Viet Nam and expressed that the two countries should focus on enhancing economic relations based on the solid platform of this strong political relationship.

Ambassador Gamage conveyed his sincere appreciation to Mr. Phong for granting the meeting and providing an opportunity to discuss the mutual cooperation between Sri Lanka and Ho Chi Minh City. Mr. Gamage reiterated that the friendly relations between Sri Lanka and Viet Nam will be further consolidated in the years to come, specially in 2020 when the two countries will celebrate 50 years of formal diplomatic relations.

Mr. Phong and Ambassador Gamage had a comprehensive dialogue, focusing on enhancing relations in the areas of political, trade, investment, tourism, cultural and people to people contacts between Ho Chi Minh City and Sri Lanka. The Chairman emphasized the importance of expansion of trade and investment relations, which has a huge potential yet largely unutilized. He also appreciated the current positive developments in tourism and cultural related cooperation. Mr. Gamage informed that Sri Lanka is planning to hold several promotional activities in Ho Chi Minh City during this year, focusing on trade, investment, tourism and culture, and requested the assistance of the People’s Committee for the success of these activities, which was duly assured by the Chairman.

Mr. Le Quang Long, Director General of the Department of External Relations of Ho Chi Minh City was also in attendance during the meeting.

                                                                                                                                                           Embassy of Sri Lanka

                                                                                                                                                           Ha Noi

                                                                                                                                                           13 March 2020