VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY (Biz Hub)— Business representatives from enterprises in Japan's Ehime Prefecture, headed by local Governor Tokihiro Nakamura, met with Vietnamese entrepreneurs yesterday to seek business cooperation and investment opportunities.

At the meeting were 36 enterprises from Ehime and 60 Vietnamese enterprises that manufacture components for the auto, paper, and garment and textile industries, among others.

During their visit, the Japanese companies will introduce their products and advanced technology, and will look for local partners and investment opportunities.

Welcoming to the Japanese mission, Le Manh Ha, deputy chairman of the HCM City People's Committee, said that more and more Japanese small – and medium-sized enterprises had invested in the city, calling it a positive signal.

Last year, Japanese enterprises invested more than US$3 billion in HCM City.

Nearly 50 per cent of the invested capital was poured into the industrial sector, Ha said.

"HCM City's well-developed airport and seaport system has created favourable conditions for Japanese enterprises to make investment. The city also has Vie Pan Techno Park and Sai Gon Hi-tech Park which are well built for Japanese investors," Ha said.

The Governor of Ehime Prefecture, Tokihiro Nakamura, pointed out the advantages of Viet Nam's young population for investment and economic development.

The Japanese government said it would provide help to Viet Nam's support industry, he said.

Hagio Hironori, director of Hagio Koatsu, which produces compressed gas containers, said he wanted to seek partners in Viet Nam to first sell his products and later to open a factory here.

Ehime Prefecture, which has a population of 1.43 million, had a gross prefectural product of US$48.8 million in 2010. — VNS