Japan has proposed the construction of underground facilities including shopping malls and a supermarket at the Ben Thanh Station on the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line, which is now under construction.

Japanese Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kisaburo Ishii made the suggestion at his meeting with Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh Ciy People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Tin on November 11.

The Vice Minister Kisaburo said Japan is willing to share technical experience in underground construction with HCM City, adding that the proposed facilities will help turn Ben Thanh Station, the meeting point of the city’s future four urban railway lines, into a major transport and trade hub in the region.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Huu Tin thanked the Japanese Government and people for their assistance to the city in building a number of important infrastructure projects which include the municipal metro line.

He welcomed the Japanese side’s proposal and affirmed that relevant agencies will discuss with Japanese partners on specific plan to carry out the idea. He pledged that the municipal administration will create favourable conditions for the investors to carry out the project.-VNA