At the reception, JETRO Chairman and CEO Hiroyuki Ishige said Japanese PM Shinzo Abe attaches importance to boosting cooperation with Viet Nam.

Mr. Ishige highlighted that the deals secured at the investment promotion conference into Viet Nam held in June last year on the occasion of PM Phuc's visit to Japan are effectively being implemented in Viet Nam.

Highlighting the strong Japanese capital flow into Viet Nam, he said JETRO is making efforts to support Japanese businesses to expand investments in the Southeast Asian country.

He said skilled Vietnamese employees are in high demand for Japanese firms, adding that JETRO is working with Vietnamese universities to introduce Japanese firms.

He stressed that improvements in the business climate are key to attracting more Japanese investors to Viet Nam.

Responding to PM Phuc’s comment on the proactive contribution of Viet Nam and Japan to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Ishige expects the CPTPP will soon come into effect, so as to bring about the mutual benefits for all sides involved.

In turn, PM Phuc lauded JETRO’s activities in Viet Nam, saying he believes that his guest’s current visit to Viet Nam will open a new chapter for trade and investment cooperation between the two nations. 

PM Phuc thanked the collaboration of JETRO in organizing the investment promotion conference into Viet Nam during his official visit to Japan in June 2017. This was the largest event of its kind to date, attracting the attendance of over 1,600 delegates, including the Vietnamese and Japanese Prime Ministers.

He affirmed that business climate improvement is a priority of the Vietnamese Government. The country is focusing on stabilizing macroeconomics, improving legal institutions, developing infrastructure and human resources, and simplifying administrative procedures.

PM Phuc said recent surveys showed a significant number of Japanese firms spoke highly of Viet Nam’s business climate and wanted to expand their operations in the country.

The Vietnamese leader expected Japan would obtain the top position in Viet Nam’s FDI, saying Viet Nam welcomes Japanese investments, particularly in infrastructure development, clean energy, processing and industry, electronics, high-tech farming, logistics, and aviation.

The PM stated that Viet Nam will do its best to facilitate Japanese investors.

He took the occasion to convey his sympathies to Japanese people affected by recent floods.

By Vien Nhu