Vietnam is now one of the most important partners of Australia and
the two countries’ relations would grow further on the basis of their
established close cooperation, Australian Consul General in HCM City
John McAnulty has said.

At a ceremony to mark the
40 th anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties in Ho Chi Minh
City on March 27, the Australian diplomat said his nation is
cooperating with Vietnam in education, development assistance,
trade, investment, border security and trans-national crimes and other
fields.

Australia is helping Vietnam develop
infrastructure, he said, adding that it has committed providing 168
million AUD for the design and building of the Cao Lanh bridge — its
biggest project in the Southeast Asian country.

For
his part, Vice Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee Hua Ngoc
Thuan said the two countries’ relations have seen comprehensive, stable
developments with outstanding outcomes made in economic cooperation.

Two-way trade between the two countries rose 20 percent annually and
exceeded 5 billion USD last year, the city’s official said.

My Thuan and Cao Lanh bridges demonstrate vivid examples of the two
countries’ friendship, he said, adding that the city has set up its
sister relationships with Queensland in 2005.

By
late February, 2013, Australia had 111 valid projects totalling 157.2
million USD in HCM City . Some Australian universities are
partnering with the city in training 500 MA and doctor degree holders.-VNA