The dialogue was held on the occasion of a visit by JCCI’s Chairman Akio Mimura to Viet Nam, together with 80 high ranking leaders of many Japanese businesses working in commercial, manufacturing, machinery and vehicle production, banking, construction, aviation, agriculture, household electronics, counselling, and others.

The meeting was considered an excellent opportunity for businesses from the two countries to forge a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the economic, commercial and investment cooperation situation and potential between them. Businesses also had a chance to meet and socialise directly, exchange information and seek suitable partners for future deals.

Nguyen Duc Chung, Chairman of the Ha Noi People’s Committee, lauded the spirit of collaboration and the achievements of the trade relations between Viet Nam and Japan.

Vu Tien Loc, VCCI’s Chairman, stated that the most significant concerns for the whole Vietnamese economy in general and the Vietnamese business community in particular are to reach a reasonable growth rate and aim for stable development; in which, concern would be placed heavily on supporting micro, small and medium enterprises in the process of global integration and to participate in an international value chain.

Akio Mimura of JCCI also said that many Japanese businesses had expressed interest in connecting and collaborating with their Vietnamese counterparts, even more so in the context of an aging Japanese population, and a desperate need to boost high quality workers.

Nguyen Hoang, Chairman of Hanoi Supporting Industry Business Association, said that in order to solidify the strategic cooperation between Viet Nam and Japan in the near future, there must be further implementation of profound supporting programmes for the two countries’ business communities, particularly small and medium ones.

Within supporting industrial sectors, Viet Nam had been importing billions of US$ each year in car parts, car accessories, electronics and machinery, from important partners in Japan such as Toyota and Canon. Hoang urged the Japanese government to help develop the supporting sectors in Viet Nam within the framework of national strategic cooperation.

Chung also asked for Japanese businesses to work together on investing in 8 key sectors in need of investment in Ha Noi, such as infrastructure and an underground metro system, as well as the 6 bridges across the Hong river and connecting roads for ring roads 1 to 5 in the city outskirts. Additionally, there should be investment in shopping centres, convenience stores and central markets.

Other sectors in need of collaborative investment and development would include the hotel industry, pharmaceuticals distribution for the healthcare system and high tech agricultural production, supporting industries, machine parts and accessories, as well as the expansion of industrial zones.

Chung also stated at the dialogue that to commit to creating the most favourable conditions possible for foreign businesses in general and Japanese businesses in particular when they invest in Ha Noi and its satellite urban areas, Viet Nam would continue to support Japanese investors through a better legal framework and the creation of a stable and transparent business environment.

Japan would be eager to support and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese workers to improve their professional skills, as well as take part in training and re-training activities in various sectors and fields. Simultaneously, Japan would help Vietnamese businesses solve any remaining difficulties during production or during the technology transfer process.

After the Republic of Korea, Japan ranks second in investment in Viet Nam, out of a total of 142 countries and territories, with about $42 billion flowing into Viet Nam to improve its investment environment and enhance exports. — VNS