Regional cooperation and links have helped Ho Chi Minh City expand its development space, find new innovative ideas, and test new growth models, according to the Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Phan Van Mai.

Speaking at a recent conference in southern Binh Phuoc province to discuss the socio-economic development cooperation program between the city and southern provinces, Chairman Mai said the city’s development is closely linked to and greatly influenced by the southern region and elsewhere.

The city has established cooperative relationships with three nearby provinces: Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, and Tay Ninh.

Meeting participants discussed measures to further boost cooperation, focusing on building key projects at the regional level, promoting links and cooperation between localities to share resources, and jointly using infrastructure such as seaports, airports, and highways.

They emphasized the need to promote regional decentralization to form separate mechanisms to handle issues related to planning, investment procedures, land, construction, and resource allocation.