HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City and US technology giant Microsoftneed to boost collaboration in information technology (IT) application anddevelopment to improve life quality for citizens in the southern hub.

Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan made the statementwhile receiving Vice President for Public Sector, Asia at Microsoft StefanSjostrom in Ho Chi Minh City on June 16.

The city’s top leader lauded Microsoft’s positive participation in developing technologyand high-quality human resources in Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City in particular overthe past two decades.

He said that the city is always interested in promoting cooperation withenterprises, including Microsoft, for mutual development.

He pinned his hope that in the coming time, Microsoft will join hands with thecity to enhance research and development activities and conduct IT applicationto protect traditional cultural values during the urban development process.

Impressed by the city’s vibrant development as well as steady foundation of IT humanresources and infrastructure, Stefan Sjostrom said that Microsoft wants closerand more effective cooperation with Ho Chi Minh City in the field.

In the coming time, Microsoft will work with the city’s relevant agencies todevise a cooperation strategy by 2020, he affirmed, adding that theimplementation of the strategy will help promote information technologytransfer in all localities natiowide.-VNA