A delegation from the Dutch Emmen Region, headed by Stenden UniversityPrincipal Hanny Van Geffen, worked with key officials of Binh Duongprovince on January 22 to examine opportunities for cooperation betweenthe two localities.

The Emmen Region, which consists of fourcities, Emmen, Coevorden, Hoogeeven and Hardenbeg, and Binh Duong couldbenefit from collaboration in high-tech industries, food processing,agriculture, education and tourism, and logistics, according to Directorof the Emmen Economic Department Wouter Couprie.

Meanwhile, Principal Hanny Van Geffen expressed her desire to liaise with Binh Duong’s universities.

ViceChairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Thanh Liemhighlighted the province’s potential, stressing that the province isfocused on developing its service and tourism sectors.

Accordingto the Binh Duong Department of Foreign Affairs, in 2014 the industrialsector dominated with 60.8 percent of the province’s economic structure,while the service sector accounted for 36.2 percent, and agricultureonly 3 percent. The gross domestic product (GDP) reached 61.2 millionVND (2,900 USD) per person annually.

Notably, the city’s foreign investment reached 1.655 billion USD, exceeding its yearly target by 65 percent.

To date, Binh Duong is home to 2,375 foreign direct investment projects with total investment capital of 20.38 billion USD.

Binh Duong joins HCM City, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Dong Nai, and Hanoi in surpassing 20 billion USD in FDI.

TheNetherlands is the eighth largest of 39 countries and territoriesinvesting in Binh Duong with 20 projects and 478.5 million USD ininvestment capital.-VNA