The Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative (VJIT) has improved the investment environment and enhanced the competitiveness of Vietnam ’s economy over six years of implementation.

At a press briefing to announce the results of the VJIT Phase III Evaluation and Facilitation Committee Meeting in Hanoi on Dec. 10, Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc spoke highly of the outcomes of the VJIT third phase which, he said, is an important foundation for the success of the fourth phase.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yasuaki Tanizaki said that Vietnam and Japan have agreed to implement the fourth phase which continues to reflect the two governments’ cooperation interest and helps promote Japanese business investment in Vietnam .

The action plan on the VJIT phase III was signed by the two governments’ representatives on Nov. 28, 2008 on continuing to maintain the dialogue policy mechanism between Japanese businesses and Vietnamese government agencies.

The plan includes seven groups of issues with 37 specific contents on the enforcement of investment policy and law; taxation, wages and strikes; customs and intellectual property protection; the development of supporting and automobile manufacturing industries; and the development of technical infrastructure.

After two years of implementing the third phase, Vietnam ’s relevant ministries, branches and localities have actively coordinated with the Japanese side to organise policy dialogues to settle emerging issues during the investment and create a transparent business and investment environment in Vietnam .

In the meantime, the Japanese side has made constructive recommendations and worked with Vietnam in conducting joint research and formulating reference information during the process of finalizing Vietnamese relevant agencies’ legal documents and policies.

According to the evaluation of the VJIT Phase III Evaluation and Facilitation Committee, 50 out of 62 small specific contents have been well carried out at the right pace while 10 other small specific items are being carried out but failed to meet the pace. The remaining two items which were not evaluated are related to the building of the automobile industry development policy in Vietnam .

The efforts of Vietnamese government agencies in implementing the VJIT action plan through its different phases have confirmed Vietnam ’s consistent policy in attracting Foreign Direct Investment and improving its business and investment environment./.