Australia Day in Ho Chi Minh City

Recently, the Australian Consulate General in HCM City celebrated the 218^th Australia Day. Participants at the ceremony included high ranking officials of the People’s Committee of HCM City, Consular Corps colleagues, members of the Australian community in HCM City, media and guests invited.

 

In his speech at the ceremony, Mr Mal Skelly, the Australian Consul General said:” This is my first Australia Day in Vietnam and it ushers in what I see as a particularly exciting time in Vietnam-Australia relations as we take turns hosting APEC over the next two years – Vietnam in 2006 and Australia in 2007. Our governments will cooperate closely over that time to create an APEC agenda that is forward looking, positive and successful. The APEC meetings in Vietnam this year will create further opportunities for Australia and Vietnam to expand what is already a strong and mutually beneficial relationship. It is pleasing to note that trade between Australia and Vietnam continues to expand rapidly, with total two-way trade for the financial year 2004-05 reaching AUD 4.4 billion. And the faces of the Australian business community I see here today, both newcomers and oldtimers, are testimony to the promise that Vietnam holds for Australian investors and companies”.

 

In 2005 there were 15 new Australian invested projects in Vietnam worth USD 5.47 million in registered capital. Australian services, including financial, banking, insurance, legal, tourism, culture and education services, also are developing a strong presence in HCMC. This is a timely development, as HCMC’s new five - year plan for 2006-2010 aims to make HCMC a hub for sophisticated, hi-technology services.

 

“We are here at a unique time. Against the backdrop of Vietnam’s WTO accession negotiations, we are witnessing a reform agenda in Vietnam that is aimed at creating a level playing field for all businesses and investors, and is integrating Vietnam into the international community. Our close relationship with Vietnam has always been supported and deepened through our development assistance programs. In past years, our development programs have continued across the Mekong delta region and concentrated on improvements to water supply, water management and sanitation. We have also been active in supporting microfinance activities including here in Ho Chi Minh City.”, he added.
Phan Dong