The Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority (HEPZA) and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) on July 25 announced the establishment of the Vietnam-Japan Supporting Industry Forum (VIETPANSIF).

JETRO Ho Chi Minh City office director Hirotaka Yasuzumi said local suppliers can meet 32.2 percent of the demand of Japanese-invested enterprises in Vietnam, which is very low compared to other regional countries such as Thailand and Indonesia.

Therefore, the VIETPANSIF will work to connect enterprises and make policy recommendations relating to the supporting industry, he said, adding that the forum’s executive board plans to organize an event every quarter of the year to this purpose.

According to HEPZA Director Vu Van Hoa, the forum’s establishment aims at facilitating cooperation and mutual assistance between government agencies in charge of support the business circles of both countries towards promoting the development of the supporting industry in Vietnam in particular and the Vietnam-Japan economic ties in general.-VNA