The Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre on December 22 held a forum to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Japan and honour Japanese organisations, social activists and businesses for their help to the locality.

Vo Thanh Hao, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said Ben Tre appreciates contributions rendered by Japanese non-governmental organisations and individuals to the province over the past four decades, adding he believes that the friendship between the two countries will further accelerate.

Over the past 40 years, charity and social organisations from Japan have carried out many humanitarian activities in Ben Tre. Notably, the Japanese Cleft Palate Association and the Vietnam-Japan Children Supporting Association have performed thousands of operations for children in Ben Tre.

Besides, many Japanese businesses, including Furukawa Automatic Systems, NIDEC, Tosok Precision, Showa and Marubeni Group, have expanded their investment in Ben Tre, making Japan the second largest foreign investor in the locality.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has also supported many infrastructure projects in Ben Tre, improving the socio-economic development in poor rural areas.

Addressing the function, Inui Hiroyuki, a representative from the Japanese General Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City , held that the event will help further deepen the mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries.

He said he hopes the Vietnam-Japan ties will develop stronger with higher efficiency in Ben Tre.

During the event, the provincial People’s Committee presented certificates of merit to Japanese organisations and individuals in recognition of their contributions to the province over the past years.-VNA