In the reception, Dutch experts proposed several measures against flooding in the city in the context of increasing annual rainfall, rising seawater and land subsidence. They proposed public-private partnerships (PPPs) forms varying in the extent of involvement of and participation of private party in anti-flooding maintenance.
Of measures, experts proposed to build a US$1.3 billion anti-flooding system in district 2 and 9 in addition to sewerage, embankment, drainage and water reservoir. Along the anti-flooding system, the city will build golf courses, parking lots, and entertainment areas to generate additional revenues for the city.
Ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman said that the city has the potential for a smart city because it has airport, deep water port, high-tech area.
She also suggested the city should cooperate with Holland partners in building smart cities for sustainable economic development.
Ambassador Elsbeth Akkerman believed that with its long experience, Dutch experts can hell HCMC to overcome challenges to become a good city to live in the context that HCMC is facing flooding and overpopulation.
Specifically, Ambassador Elsbeth Akkerman proposed to promote close cooperation between HCMC and Dutch especially in water management.
Listening to Dutch experts’ proposal, HCMC Director of the Department of Construction Le Hoa Binh and Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Toan Thang totally supported the anti-flooding measures for districts 2 and 9 adding that it helps to battle flood, reserve rainwater and generate income for the city.
Party Chief Nhan thanked the Dutch Ambassador and her commitment to help the city emphasizing that Vietnam generally and HCMC particularly place much value on the relationship with the Netherlands. He affirmed city authorities usually seeks advice and learn experience from the Netherlands in water management and climate change adaptation.
He directed competent agencies to organize a further conference to listen to detailed plan of Dutch experts.
