Businesses from Akita prefecture, northern Japan, on August 1 toured the southern province of Binh Duong to inquire into investment climate there.

Professor Umehara Katsuhiko from the East Asia research centre said he was surprised at the local rapid growth, with a joint venture between the Becamex-Binh Duong company and Japan’s Tokyu Corporation as a core in the development of the Binh Duong New City project.

He said he will introduce Vietnam, especially Binh Duong province where Japanese investors run a number of projects, to Akita businesses in order to increase trade ties between the two localities in the coming time.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Thanh Cung said local authorities have taken heed to foreign businesses, including those from Japan, to help them overcome difficulties, while facilitating their operation.

Binh Duong is home to over 2,300 foreign investment projects totalling 19.8 billion USD run by nearly 40 nations and territories. Japan takes the lead with 4.7 billion USD invested in more than 220 projects

The province has also received official development assistance from Japan for water drainage system and environment projects, he added.-VNA