The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has honoured former Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Cao Viet Sinh for his contributions to the cooperation between Japan and Vietnam.

Cao Viet Sinh was among 10 people representing six countries, including Japan, to receive the JICA’s Contribution Award on January 23.

At the presentation ceremony, JICA Vietnam Chief Representative Mori Mutsuya said having worked for the Ministry of Planning and Investment for more than three decades, Sinh is an outstanding figure in the Japan-Vietnam cooperative relations, especially in Japan’s ODA provision course.

In 2013, Japan and Vietnam marked the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and also the 20 th anniversary of Japan’s resumption of ODA for Vietnam.

So far, Japan has channeled 24 billion USD in ODA to Vietnam and become the largest bilateral ODA provider for the country.

Though meeting with the difficulties stemmed from natural disasters in recent years, Japan has still increased its ODA for Vietnam.

Former Deputy Minister Sinh said Japan left its mark on major infrastructural facilities across Vietnam, which, apart from spurring economic growth, have helped the country in the fight against poverty.-VNA