Prime Minister meets representatives of Japan Business Federation

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with a delegation of the Japan Business Federation (KEIDANREN) in Hanoi on December 8.

The host leader spoke highly of KEIDANREN’s role in the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership along with the role of the federation’s Japan-Vietnam Economic Committee in enhancing the two countries’ economic, trade and investment cooperation.

The Vietnamese Government and people attach importance to developing ties with Japan and pledge utmost efforts to boost the strong and sustainable development of this relationship, he said, expressing his hope that Japan will soon become the biggest investor in Vietnam.

Kuniharu Nakamura, Co-Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Economic Committee, said to Japanese businesses, the Vietnamese market holds a very important position with big consumption strength. The two countries boast strong trade ties at present.

Vietnam should step up improving its business climate and reinforcing bilateral economic partnership, he added.

Hideo Ichikawa, who co-chairs the committee, said Vietnam needs to further develop infrastructure such as railways and roads which are critical to improving investment and business climate.

Japanese companies are interested in infrastructure projects under the public-private partnership format in Vietnam, he noted, asking the Vietnamese Government to remove obstacles facing Japanese firms.

PM Phuc said he hopes Japanese enterprises will pay attention to the environment when investing in Vietnam. He also asked Japan to assist Vietnam to develop infrastructure, especially in transport, as it is currently a bottleneck in Vietnam’s economy.

Vietnam wants Japanese businesses to invest more strongly in the country. They are very successful in Vietnam, which is partly attributable to KEIDANREN’s activities, he added.

At the meeting, PM Phuc also answered Japanese businesses’ questions on local mechanisms and policies.-VNA