ASEAN-Japan Integration Fund introduced in Vietnam
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a workshop in Hanoi on June 9 to introduce the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), following similar events in Myanmar and Laos.
Illustrative image (Photo: mod.go.jp)ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh highlighted Japan as one of the bloc’s partners that strongly supports the connectivity and establishment of the ASEAN Community.
The relations between ASEAN and Japan have continued to grow extensively and intensively, particularly in the fields of high-level delegation exchanges, economy, trade and investment, he noted.
Japan pledged to further support ASEAN in implementing its initiatives, roadmaps and specific projects to bring practical benefits to locals in the Southeast Asian region, he said.
Assistant to Foreign Minister Vu Quang Minh highly valued Japan’s assistance to ASEAN’s integration efforts over the past years.
He said this support is significant, especially for new members like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, to enhance their capacity in realising action plans, increasing connectivity and integration, coping with challenges and narrowing development gaps with other members in the bloc.
Japan has become the third biggest trade partner and the second largest investor of ASEAN with a total investment of over 193 billion USD in 2015, he noted.
The bilateral cooperation in education, people-to-people exchanges, climate change adaptation as well as in addressing consequences of natural disasters, disease prevention, and navigation cooperation is also thriving, he said.
The workshop is expected to provide Vietnamese ministries and localities with full information on how to build and carry out JAIF cooperation projects.
Ambassador Kazuo Sunaga, head of the Japanese delegation to ASEAN, said Japan hopes to partner with Vietnam to expand the implementation of JAIF projects, especially in promoting economic integration, narrowing the development gap and fighting cross-border crime.
The JAIF was established in March 2006 at the 9th ASEAN-Japan Summit.
To date, the fund has a total value of 630 million USD and has sucessfully carried out 180 projects in natural disaster management, counter-terrorism, economic integration and youth exchanges.-VNA
You should also see
Vietnam, China promote judicial cooperation
Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long held talks with his visiting Chinese counterpart He Rong in Hanoi on April 19 to discuss measures to promote judicial cooperation between the two countries.
See more
World
ASEAN foreign ministers call for end to Myanmar violence
ASEAN foreign ministers on April 19 issued a statement calling on all parties to immediately cease violence and exercise maximum restraint in the border areas of Myanmar.
ASEAN
Warming waters in Thailand wreaks havoc on marine life
The warming waters of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea are negatively affecting marine life, leaving dugongs desperate for food, according to Thai scientists.
World
India’s trade deficit with ASEAN widens
India's trade deficit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has more than doubled since the implementation of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) in 2010.
ASEAN
Forum boosts economic ties among ASEAN, emerging economies, Russia
An economic cooperation forum on fostering ties between ASEAN and emerging economies, and Russia convened in Hanoi on April 12.
Culture - Sports
ASEAN Graphic Arts Competition and Exhibition 2024 to promote friendship
The Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will collaborate with relevant agencies to organise the ASEAN Graphic Arts Competition and Exhibition 2024.
