Workers produce mental components for motorcycles and cars at Vina Taiyo Spring Co Ltd, a Japanese company located in Thach That Industrial Park, Ha Noi. — VNA/VNS Photo Danh Lam

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The HCM City Export Processing and Industrial Zone Authority (HEPZA) last week signed a cooperation agreement with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) to establish the Viet Nam-Japan Support Industry Forum (VIETPANSIF).

Hirotaka Yasuzumi, executive director of JETRO office in HCM City, said the forum would organise meetings, seminars, conference and training courses on quality control and human resource development.

These events will also help support industry enterprises seek new customers and promote their brands; to share experience in production and business; and to transfer technologies and improve human resources quality.

According to a survey conducted by JETRO, in 2012 local suppliers met 28 per cent of the demand of Japanese-invested enterprises in Viet Nam. The figure rose to 32 per cent last year.

These figures, however, were low compared to other regional countries such as Thailand (52.7 per cent) and Indonesia (40.8 per cent).

Therefore, the VIETPANSIF will work to connect enterprises and make policy recommendations related to the support industry, he said, adding that the forum's executive board plans to organise an event every quarter of the year to this purpose.

According to HEPZA, as of late 2013, there were 371 local support industry enterprises, accounting for 47.4 per cent of local enterprises in export processing zones and industrial parks in HCM City.

These local support industry enterprises turn out products to support manufacturers in the engineering, textile and garment, and packaging industries.

Vu Van Hoa, head of HEPZA, said the forum would help promote the development of the support industry in Viet Nam and Viet Nam-Japan economic ties. — VNS