Representatives from foreign consulates and several domestic and foreign businesses met in southern Binh Duong province to mark the occasion of the Lunar New Year (Tet).

According to Nguyen Hoang Son, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, Binh Duong posted a GDP growth rate of 14.8% and attracted more than 2 billion USD of foreign investment capital in 2008, despite the global financial crisis and economic recession.

The official thanked the consulates-general and foreign trade bureaus based in Ho Chi Minh City , as well as the city’s trade relations department for their help in attracting foreign investment to Binh Duong.

He also said he hoped for more support from these agencies in the future.

Singaporean Consul-General Jimmy Chua expressed his gladness at the province’s achievements, saying that he believes Binh Duong will reap even greater rewards this year, as well as in the future.

The provincial People’s Committee also organised a get-together for more than 200 overseas Vietnamese who have returned to their homeland to enjoy the Tet celebrations.

The overseas community pledged to increase their investment in their hometown to help promote further development. (VNA)