To concretize the Party's guidelines, the State's policies and laws, and those of the province and city, Son La has implemented comprehensive and effective solutions to strengthen foreign affairs in all fields, contributing to promoting socio-economic development.
Leaders of Son La city and Sam Neua district, Hua Phan province (Lao People's Democratic Republic) signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation for the period 2023-2025.
Mr. Tran Cong Chinh, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, said: The city focuses on implementing central and provincial documents on international integration; signing memoranda of understanding in accordance with the Law on International Agreements. At the same time, it implements foreign affairs work comprehensively and effectively; ensuring absolute safety in organizing and managing delegations entering and leaving the city.
In 2023, the People's Committee of Son La City welcomed and signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation for the period 2023-2025 between Son La City and Sam Neua District, Hua Phan Province and Huoi Sai District, Bokeo Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic. In accordance with the memorandum of understanding, Sam Neua District and Son La City regularly maintain a system of information exchange and coordination in resolving arising issues; both sides encourage and facilitate organizations, individuals, businesses, and investors from Son La City and Huoi Sai District to invest, produce, and conduct business in the locality.
Strengthening diplomatic activities and creating favorable conditions for businesses to expand international cooperation plays a crucial role in attracting resources for socio-economic development. Implementing measures to improve the investment and business environment, enhance the competitiveness index, and remove obstacles for businesses, simplifying and making transparent administrative procedures for issuing investment certificates and approving projects, will gradually attract international investors.
In 2023, the People's Committee of Son La City proposed to the province that the Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative participate in a trade promotion program in Bang Tuong, Guangxi Province, China; participate in the 29th China-Vietnam International Trade Fair and the Bang Tuong-Vietnam Border Tourism Festival in 2023. In addition, the city organized participation in the World Export Promotion Forum (WEDF) in Ulan Bator, Mongolia; proposed fresh citrus fruit products for export to China; strengthened the management of export packaging facility codes for China; and directed and guided organizations and individuals producing and processing agricultural products to meet the regulations of importing countries. In 2023, the city exported 9,870 tons of green coffee beans, valued at US$51.3 million.
Expanding and promoting the image, potential, and strengths of Son La city. The city's electronic information portal regularly updates information on foreign affairs, expanding the electronic information page to all 12 communes and wards; departments and units actively use social media platforms like Facebook and Zalo. In cultural diplomacy, the city always prioritizes activities to promote and develop tourism, developing tourism services associated with cultural and spiritual elements, community tourism, effectively utilizing existing community tourism destinations, encouraging the replication of community tourism models, and promoting the potential, cultural values, cuisine, and local tourism to domestic and international friends.
Ms. Lu Thi Doan, Head of the City's Culture and Information Department, said: Every year, the city organizes and coordinates with various departments to organize dozens of cultural and artistic programs and festivals, promoting the image and identity of Son La people to a large number of domestic and international tourists.
In 2024, Son La city will continue to implement comprehensive solutions, focusing on achieving and exceeding the socio-economic development targets for 2024, while effectively carrying out foreign affairs work to ensure safety and maintain political security and social order in the locality.
Minh Thu