A delegation of 14 companies from Berlin, accompanying the German city's Governing Mayor Klaus Wowereit, arrived in HCM City yesterday, seeking to lay the foundation for new co-operation projects. 

An expert from the German Taprogge GmbH Company introduces the company's clean water treating system, which was operated in Vietnam for the the first time since 2011. Companies from Berlin will join hands with HCM City to cope with major challenges facing big cities.

Berlin will join hands with HCM City to cope with major challenges that big cities face, including infrastructure development, transportation, waste management, energy efficiency and healthcare, Wowereit said at the Berlin-HCM City Infrastructure Conference held after the delegation's arrival.

Berlin has plenty of expertise as a stronghold of the healthcare industry, as a reference city for transport technologies and urban mobility in the 21st century, and in the areas of information and communications technologies, construction and architecture, he said.

Tat Thanh Cang, director of the city's Department of Transport, said that HCM City hoped to forge close co-operation with German companies to develop transport projects such as the city's bus systems and other means of public transport.

The city is already co-operating with German companies to develop a few transport projects including its Metro Route No 2, Cang said.

He said HCM City was also looking for the transfer of science and technology innovations from Germany in the environment and healthcare sectors.

"There are strong business ties between Berlin and Vietnam to build upon," said Stephan Schwarz, deputy president of Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Vietnam is among Berlin's major trading partners in Asia and the world. Co-operation in various infrastructure projects as well as the medical sector has proven beneficial to both sides and still carries a lot more potential, he said.

Berlin-based IVU Traffic Technologies AG is providing the IVU rail system for the Vietnam National Railways to plan and optimise the development of rolling stock and personnel.

Transport, architecture, energy, waste management and healthcare are among Berlin's prominent sectors, where HCM City has huge demand for co-operation, Schwarz said.