Representative of SUEZ Group in Shanghai, Mr. Kohei Kimura, Director of Investment and Development of PPP/BOT in Southeast Asia, introduced the group's technology products and its recent achievements in Southeast Asia. SUEZ Group is a leading corporation in environment and water treatment with a history of about 160 years, operating on five continents with 90,000 employees worldwide. The Group specializes in resource protection and recovery, providing industrial services and solutions in four main areas: water, waste recovery and management, wastewater treatment solutions, and consulting. With 70 years of operation in Southeast Asia, SUEZ Group has achieved significant success in countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore. The cooperation strives to enhance its expertise and understanding of environmental services in specific areas, aiming to achieve leadership in this field and promote the development of a circular economy. In Vietnam, SUEZ Group has a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City and has participated in projects such as the Wastewater Treatment Plants in Thai Nguyen City, Ba Don Town (Quang Binh), and Ha Giang City. Mr. Kohei Kimura expressed his desire to expand the Group's activities and implement more environmental and water treatment projects in Vietnam, including Can Tho City.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City Tran Viet Truong thanked the SUEZ Group for the warm welcome. During the meeting, he briefed them on the development situation and challenges facing the Mekong Delta region, and Can Tho City in particular. Chairman Tran Viet Truong stated that although the Mekong Delta is full of potential and opportunities for cooperation, the rapid pace of urbanization, combined with the negative impacts of climate change such as saltwater intrusion, flooding, and increased temperature, have affected the people’s life and the development of Can Tho City. In an effort to prioritize environmental preservation over economic development, Can Tho authorities have not approved the city's socio-economic development investment projects and projects that pose a potential risk of causing environmental pollution or contamination. The city also requires all project owners and investors and companies to thoroughly treat waste generated during the production according to regulations. The city has improved the quality of appraisal work, approval of environmental impact assessment reports, and issuance of environmental permits for works and projects with the participation of experts, scientists, and related agencies and units. However, despite the city's efforts, water pollution, solid waste, and air pollution continue to increase while the natural environment's carrying capacity remains limited. These challenges are significant for Can Tho authorities in implementing sustainable development goals. Therefore, the city is always seeking suitable partners to collaborate with to find solutions to these problems.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City Tran Viet Truong and his delegation visited SCIP's innovative research institute. Photo: CTV

In the afternoon, Chairman Tran Viet Truong and his delegation had a working session with the SCIP Management Board and visited some of their projects. SCIP is known to be an effectively operating “green” industrial park in China. During the visit, the delegation gained insights into the operating model at the wastewater treatment joint venture between SUEZ and SCIP, SCIP's waste treatment plant, and SCIP's Innovative Research Institute. The delegation was introduced to the technology and operational methods and learned about the operational efficiency of these sites.

Chairman Tran Viet Truong highly appreciated SCIP's professionalism in operation and management, including the effective joint venture between SCIP and SUEZ. Through research and practical surveys, Can Tho City leader wished Mr. Kohei Kimura and his colleagues to come to Can Tho and research current environmental issues in the city. Moreover, their visit could offer opportunities for cooperation in fields of interest to SUEZ. Chairman Truong believed that with its experience, SUEZ would provide services to help Can Tho minimize major environmental issues and achieve sustainable development goals.

The official also said that Can Tho City will continue to strongly promote cooperative relationships with SCIP and SUEZ Group to exchange experiences in building industrial parks in Can Tho as this is also the city’s development direction.