At one of the meetings, Domenico Laforgia, vice president of the Puglia region, proposed setting up joint university-level research groups in the fields of environment, bio-technology, health care and law.In addition, Mr Laforgia suggested joint ventures in tourism and the two leaders tentatively agreed to establish an information office in Puglia to coordinate activities regarding the aforementioned activities.In Bari City, Mr Thien met with municipal leaders, visited the University of Bari and attended an investment conference that was attended by a large number of Vietnam foreign sector businesses.During a visit to Piedmont, Ambassador Thien attended a food and culture fair in Turin City where he met with Mauro Laus, president of the Piedmont region, who was also receptive to the idea of strengthening ties between the two nations’ municipalities.During his visit, Mr Thien extended an open invitation to members of the public and private sectors of the Puglia and Piedmont regions to participate in the Vietnam Food Expo scheduled for this coming November in Ho Chi Minh City.