Japanese companies are focused on the Vietnamese market and seek wider, deeper co-operation with Vietnamese firms, Eiichi Tani from SME Support Japan said in Ha Noi on Monday.

Speaking at a meeting between a delegation of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Vinafco Joint Stock Corporation - a logistics service provider, Tani said Japanese businesses have now shifted their attention from the Chinese to the Vietnamese market.

The meeting was a part of the SME Support Japan’s support programme for small- and medium-sized Japanese enterprises looking at international markets.

“The event was to help both sides exchange information on Viet Nam’s transport market in general, and both countries’ transport situation in particular,” Tani said. “It also touched upon necessary customs procedures to bring Japanese goods into Viet Nam.”

Tokuhiro Imamura, chairman of Imamura Joint Stock Company, which specialises in interiors, said his company is looking to expand its market. It plans to build a plant in Viet Nam in the future, Imamura said, adding that the company would export some products to Viet Nam to explore and understand the market.

Imamura JSC has some basic information from Japanese logistics firms operating in Viet Nam, but it wants to build further contacts with Vietnamese businesses as local firms have advantages in their own market.

At the meeting, a Vinafco representative shared information related to administrative procedures, time and costs for import-export customs clearance from Hai Phong Seaport to various plants. She said it is not tough to import Imamura’s products into Viet Nam, and that Vinafco is willing to support the company.

The Japanese delegation said they chose Vinafco for the meeting as there are similarities between Vinafco and Imamura. Vinafco has 30 years’ experience in the logistics sector and in multi-purpose transport in Viet Nam. — VNS