A seminar on Vietnam ’s economy opened in the Japanese province of Nagano on October 5.

Addressing the seminar, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Phu Binh said Japan has become one of the largest trading partners and investors--as well as one of the biggest sponsors—of Vietnam .

Projects in Vietnam funded by Japan ’s official development assistance (ODA), have contributed to improving the country’s infrastructure and the quality of its human resources, Binh said.

He highlighted that the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement which came into effect at the beginning of October will create favourable conditions for the development of bilateral relations in economics, trade, investment and tourism.

Representatives of Japanese investors in Vietnam assessed the current state of their operations in Vietnam and reported on the advantages--in terms of policies and human resources--as well as on difficulties in terms of infrastructure while investing in the country.

Ambassador Binh answered many questions relating to the investment environment and personnel training in Vietnam , which were raised by enterprises interested in investing in the country.

On this occasion, the Nagano-Vietnam Exchange Association introduced its plan to establish an association to promote Nagano-Vietnam economic relations next year.

During his stay in the Japanese province, Ambassador Binh also met with Nagano ’s mayor and visited the Ueda Commercial and Industrial Division, as well as some large-scale companies in the locality./.