Viet Nam, Japan strengthen economic, investment ties

HA NOI — Viet Nam will continue working with Japan to deepen bilateral cooperation in all areas, specifically economics, trade, investment and development aid.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made the affirmation while receiving visiting Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano in Ha Noi yesterday.

At the reception, the PM spoke highly of the outcome of talks between Yukio Edano and the Vietnamese ministers of Industry and Trade, and Planning and Investment.

Dung suggested Japan create conditions for Vietnamese goods to penetrate into its market, help Viet Nam develop industries, particularly support industries, and increase development aid for Viet Nam's infrastructure sector.

He also said that Japan should speed up the implementation of major projects already agreed by the two sides, including the building of the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant and the development of the rare earth industry in Viet Nam.

The PM affirmed that the Vietnamese Government will provide favourable conditions for Japanese businesses to increase investment in Viet Nam as well as cooperation through the public-private partnership (PPP).

For his part, Minister Yukio Edano said that relations between the two countries had developed positively in various aspects, bringing about practical benefits to both sides.

During his visit, he said the two sides had agreed to enhance cooperation, mentioning Japan's support in accelerating Viet Nam's industrialisation process.

The Japanese minister affirmed that Japan will work to facilitate the export of Vietnamese goods to its market, team up with Viet Nam in developing support industries and effectively implement major projects agreed by the two countries' high-ranking leaders.

The same day, Edano attended a public-private policy dialogue between Viet Nam and Japan in Ha Noi, which, economic experts said, not only helped Viet Nam perfect its policy framework but also assists Japanese investors in implementing their projects more effectively in Viet Nam.

According to Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh, international donors have continuously assisted Viet Nam in building a public-private policy framework in accordance with international practices and the country's situation.

Among those, Japan, which boasts a great deal of experience in implementing PPP, is considered Viet Nam's leading partner, he stressed.

Edano said that Japan is ready to cooperate with Viet Nam in the areas of infrastructure, airport and road construction and electricity production to contribute to the Southeast Asian country's industrialisation process. — VNS