State President Nguyen Minh Triet received representatives from the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians Federation (JVFPF) in Yokohama on Nov. 12 as part of his activities in Japan for the 18th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

State President Triet expressed delight at the fine Vietnam-Japan relationship in terms of politics, economics, and culture. Especially, during a recent visit by Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan , both nations agreed on cooperation in rare earth exploration and exploitation, and nuclear power plant construction in Vietnam , which are of great importance to bring the strategic partnership between the two sides to a new height.

Recognising Japan as Vietnam ’s important partner, he appreciated the country’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Vietnam , contributing to helping the Southeast Asian eradicate hunger and reduce poverty.

He thanked the Japanese Diet, Government, and people for their valuable support to Vietnam , reflecting friendship and mutual trust between the two countries.

The President said he hoped for further contributions by JVFPF members to promoting cooperation between the two countries in general and the two parliaments in particular.

JVFPF President Tsutomu Takebe congratulated State President Triet and his entourage on their participation in the 18th Asia - Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit a contribution to enhancing the regional economic linkage and strengthening the friendship and strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan .

Takebe emphasised that Japan highly valued the role of Vietnam in the East Asian region and within ASEAN and congratulated Vietnam on its successful performance of the role of ASEAN President in 2010, marking an important milestone in building the ASEAN community as well as strengthening relations between ASEAN and its partners, including Japan.

The Japanese Diet, Government, and people attach importance to expanding relations with Vietnam in all fields, Takebe said.

Both countries have great potential to cooperate in large-scale projects and Japan is willing to support Vietnam to develop hi-tech industry, build infrastructure and develop the energy industry, he added.
The same day, President Triet met leaders of Japan ’s Mitsubishi Corporation and JGC Corporation, two Japanese economic giants operating in oil and gas, chemical and energy in Vietnam .

President Triet called on Japan’s economic groups to further invest in Vietnam, particularly in energy, transport, environment and infrastructure – the areas Vietnam needs assistance in for its socio-economic development cause.

Mitsubishi Corporation President and General Director Kobayashi Ken and JGC President Yoshihiro Shigehisa affirmed their commitment to continue expanding operations in Vietnam , and their wish to further contribute to Vietnam ’s economic development.

The two Japanese economic leaders spoke highly of Vietnam ’s investment environment.

Mitsubishi has invested in the fields of infrastructure, electricity, chemical, garments and textiles, automobile assembly, clean water treatment and solar energy in Vietnam since 1991.

Mitsubishi is speeding up the implementation of a power project in Vung Ang, the central province of Ha Tinh and showing interest in another power project in Vinh Tan in the southern province of Binh Thuan .

With strength in oil and gas design, JGC is a contractor in the Dung Quat oil refinery project and currently tendering for construction of the Nghi Son oil refinery.

Later that day, President Triet met with US businesses from the US-APEC Business Council, led by Chairman Alexander Feldman, including major groups investing and operating in oil and gas, energy, media, telecommunications, clean water treatment and food import-export in Vietnam.

The State President said Vietnam appreciated US business contributions to Vietnam-US ties over the past 15 years, particularly in economic cooperation, trade and investment, adding that in 2009 US investment in Vietnam rose sharply, reflecting the two sides’ aspirations to promote cooperation for development.

The President gave assurances that Vietnam would ease obstacles for investors. The country is determined to improve its legal system and investment environment to attract more foreign investors, including US businesses, he said./.