(MPI Portal) – On January 20th 2015, Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh had a meeting with Ms. Satsuki Katayama, Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of Japanese House of Councillors to discuss on development cooperation of the two countries in the coming time.

Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Katayama appreciated the role of the MPI in promoting Vietnam – Japan friendship relations. Vietnam is an important partner of Japan. Mr. Akihiro Ota, Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Tourism has been to Vietnam recently to attend the inauguration of the major projects as Nhat Tan Bridge and Noi Bai International Airport Terminal 2, which are symbol for Vietnam – Japan relationship. Ms. Katayama expressed her pleasure and hoped that Japanese ODA would continue being used effectively and contribute to socio-economic development of Vietnam in the coming time.

Minister of the MPI Bui Quang Vinh. Photo: Duc Trung (MPI Portal)

High appreciating the opinions of Ms. Katayama, Minister Bui Quang Vinh affirmed that Vietnam – Japan relations has increasingly been good. For many years, Japan is always the largest donor of ODA for Vietnam, focusing on big infrastructure projects (bridges, ports, highways, expressways…) stretching across the country, contributing positively to growth and development of Vietnam. Besides, the two countries also cooperate in other fields, typically Vietnam’s Industrialization Strategy within the framework of Vietnam – Japan cooperation towards 2020, with a vision till 2030 in six priority industries and implementation of Vietnam - Japan Joint Initiative since 2003 which is a policy dialogue between Japanese investors and related Vietnamese ministries, agencies. Therefore, the Minister expressed his gratitude to the Japan Government assisting Vietnam not only in economy, trade, investment but also defense and security, not only by diplomatic statements but also material support.

Regarding macro economy of Vietnam, Minister Bui Quang Vinh said that Vietnam’s economy in 2014 was successful in inflation curb, economic stability, foreign exchange reserve increase, with US$ 2 billion of trade surplus, 5.98% of GDP growth which is higher than the goals set forth. The Minister affirmed that the economy has gone through difficult period. Besides, Vietnam has been positively improving investment business environment and integrating international economy, as well as building policy to encourage investment into big projects, high technology projects in order to promote trade cooperation between the two countries. Highly appreciating the visit of Ms. Katayama, the Minister said that this is an important mark to strengthen multi-faced comprehensive relations between Vietnam and Japan.

Ms. Katayama, Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of Japanese House of Councillors. Photo: Duc Trung (MPI Portal)

At the meeting, the two sides discussed and removed some difficulties and obstacles of Japanese projects in Vietnam. Thereby, Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of Japanese House of Councillors appreciated investment environment of Vietnam and desired to cooperate permanently in various fields and support process of technology transfer to Vietnam. Minister Bui Quang Vinh affirmed that Vietnam always welcomes Japanese SMEs investing, assisting to develop supporting industry of Vietnam and creates the most favorable condition for Vietnam – Japan investment cooperation in various fields./. 

Nguyen Huong

MPI Portal