Secretary of the HCM Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan hoped that the Japanese government and businesses would continue to support and invest in the city, especially in high-quality infrastructure.

He said this at a meeting on March 19 with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono; Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko; Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Keiichi Ishii; and President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency Shinichi Kitaoka as part of his official visit to Japan.

Speaking highly of Viet Nam-Japan bilateral relations as well as ties between HCM City and Japanese localities, which are in their most flourishing period, Nhan thanked Japan for backing Viet Nam and its southern hub in the past.

He noted that Japanese support to infrastructure building was crucial for HCM City, as poor transport and drainage facilities were hampering the city’s development. HCM City is expected to be home to 15 million people by 2030 and contribute to 22 per cent of the national gross domestic product.

After Japan and Viet Nam became strategic partners, they have seen thriving cooperation in various fields, Nhan said, adding that Can Tho and Nhat Tan bridges were vivid illustrations of the strong collaboration.

Japanese officials, too, lauded HCM City’s role in the national economy and said Japan was ready to help the city build high-quality infrastructure. — VNS