Hanoi seeks partnership with Belarus in transportation, health care

Belarus is strong in automobile manufacturing, noting that 15 Belarus-made buses are operating by the Hanoi Transportation Service Company (Transerco), Ogorodnhik said.

Belarus is scheduled to hand over another 17 buses to Transerco early this December, he said, adding that he hopes Hanoi will support Transerco in using more buses from Belarus.

Toan said that Hanoi currently has 1,400 buses for public transportation, 300 of which need replacing.

Hanoi’s authorised agencies will check the quality of 32 buses from Belarus before deciding whether to continue purchasing the vehicles from Belarus. Toan also affirmed that Hanoi will consider Belarus as a priority in its choice for long-term partner in the field.

At the same time, the Belorussian side also expressed its hope to engage in the construction and operation of metro lines and elevated trains in Hanoi.

Belarus’s capital of Minsk has operated two metro lines from 1984. The city plans to launch its third and fourth lines, Ogorodnhik said, adding his country is willing to share its experience in metro development to Hanoi. He said he hopes Hanoi will introduce Belarus investors to local partners and agencies.

Toan informed his guest about Hanoi’s plan on building nine metro lines, three of which are being constructed with assistance from Japan and France. The city is calling for investment to the rest six lines, he said.

Meanwhile, the two sides also discussed the possibility of partnering in health care sector, as Belarus is willing to exchange experience with Vietnam in improving public health care service quality.

Toan said that Hanoi has the largest health care system in Vietnam. He proposed that the two sides increase affiliation in the field on the basis of building high quality medical facilities, aiming to provide better services to locals.