President supports Vietnam-Kansai economic dialogue

Hanoi (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quang said he supports the Vietnam-Kansai economic dialogue mechanism, which will help Vietnam’s authorised bodies to promptly remove investment obstacles and bolster bilateral economic links.

He had a meeting in Hanoi on September 12 with a delegation of Japan’s Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren), which organised the economic dialogue together with the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Talking to Kankeiren Chairman Shosuke Mori, President Quang expressed his delight at the expansion of economic, trade and investment ties between Vietnam and Japan, saying it has contributed to the countries’ extensive strategic partnership.

He thanked Japan’s Government and investors for effectively helping Vietnam in socio-economic development and welcomed more investments from Japan.

Kansai is among the top Japanese investors in the Southeast Asian nation with a number of big projects, he noted.

President Quang said he hopes advanced technologies which are the strength of Kansai businesses will greatly help his country better infrastructure and develop support industries while protecting the environment.

Vietnam pledges the best possible conditions for Japanese enterprises, including those from Kansai, to operate in the country, he said, repeating its consistent viewpoint of prioritising relations with Japan.

Shosuke Mori said Kankeiren groups 1,300 companies and aims to support its members to promote competitiveness in Kansai region and expand operations in the world.

He noted through this visit, his federation looks to enhance economic ties between Kansai and Vietnam and seek business opportunities, especially when the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement will take effect in the near future.

He added that he hopes the Vietnam-Kansai economic dialogue will become an annual event through which Kansai businesses can contribute more to Vietnam’s development.

Kansai, a region in the centre of Japan, comprises 10 prefectures, including the big cities of Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. It is the second biggest economic, financial and sci-tech hub of Japan after Kanto region of Tokyo and has strength in manufacturing industry.

Kansai accounts for 25-30 percent of its country’s trade with and investment in Vietnam, mostly in the fields of seafood processing, household electric and electronic products, automobile spare parts, machinery components, and building materials.-VNA