President upbeat about flourishing Vietnam-Japan relations

At a November 2 reception in Hanoi for Governor of Saitama prefecture Kiyoshi Ueda, President Quang said Vietnam regards Japan as a trustworthy and long-term partner in multiple fields.

Over the past more than two decades, Japan has always been the largest donor of Vietnam with a total official development assistance (ODA) nearing US$25-27 billion, primarily for infrastructure. 

Japan has been the second largest investor in Vietnam with over 3,500 valid projects worth more than US$46 billion. It is also the sixth largest trade partner with roughly US$30 billion in two-way trade. 

He suggested providing optimum support for businesses by boosting investment and trade, tourism and labour promotion activities.

Vietnam is improving the business climate to provide a level playing field for all businesses, Quang said while affirming his nation's willingness to welcome Japanese investors, including those from Saitama prefecture, to expand investment in the country. 

Apart from infrastructure, Vietnam is keen to broaden bilateral partnership in areas of Japan’s strength, including high technology, agriculture, industry, and food hygiene to meet requirements of the industrial revolution 4.0, Quang told his guest.

Kiyoshi Ueda briefed the Vietnamese State leader on potentials and strengths of Saitama prefecture in Japanese economy, as well as Saitama’s business operations in Vietnam. 

He said it is his fifth visit to Vietnam since he took office in 2012. The prefecture and the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MoPI) inked a memorandum of understanding to offer favourable conditions for Saitama’s businesses to do business in Vietnam. 

Saitama’s businesses appreciated Vietnam’s business conditions with diligent workers,Ueda said while expressing hope that the prefecture will receive further support from the MoPI.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Kunio Umeda conveyed a message from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as saying that he is looking forward to meeting President Tran Dai Quang during the forthcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in central Da Nang city.