(MPI) - On January 22th, 2018, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Minister of MPI Nguyen Chi Dung had a meeting with Japanese small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) delegation that consists of 33 members from 22 different enterprises led by Mr. Yasuzuka IRINO, Standing Vice President of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) with the purpose of surveying and getting to know the investing environment of Vietnam.

At the meeting, Minister Nguyen Chi Dung expressed Vietnamese Government’s deep appreciation toward the Japan – Vietnam comprehensive partnership while emphasized that Japan – Vietnam relation is in its best phase. By the end of December 2017, Japan is the second biggest investor of 125 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Regarding ODA, Japan is the largest ODA provider to Vietnam.  Japanese enterprises invest effectively, comply with Vietnam’s law, well as transfer technology, expand employment opportunities and contributes to Vietnam’s growth. 

In terms of economy, Vietnam investing environment currently assembles enough advantages for investors who are seeking for chances in a politically stable country. Vietnam locates in the middle of South East Asia, a convenient gateway to approach 600 million people in ASEAN market. Human resource of the country is plentiful with 50% of the population is under 30, highly competitive compared to others countries in the area.  Besides, Vietnam has a stable economic development with high annual GDP growth (6-7%). It has a relatively large economic scale with approximately 220 billion USD and 93 million people, an open consumption intention, an allegedly fastest increasing middle – class in Asia, and highly competitive investment incentives condition. Vietnam is also actively integrating itself widely and deeply into the world’s economy. The country’s infrastructure has improved tremendously in recent years,  of which many big constructions attain its help from  Japanese ODA. The institutional and legal system of investment in Vietnam has been gradually improved.

Vietnam has been a member of several bilateral and multilateral new free trade agreements.  In addition, it also attentively and actively improves the investing environment by passing many laws, including Law on Supporting Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises and laws that mean to improve the investment environment.

Minister Nguyen Chi Dung highlighted that, in 2018, Vietnam Government will focus on three major problems, which are stabilizing macroeconomy, restructuring the economy with a purpose of improving productivity, complementing institutional framework, investing in infrastructure and developing high-quality human resources.

 To ensure a fast growing and sustainable development closely go with protecting environment and social issues, Vietnam hopes  and encourages Japanese enterprises to invest in Vietnam into projects of 6 fields in Japan – Vietnam industrial development cooperation framework, infrastructure development projects, PPP projects, manufacturing industry, pharmacy, education, biology, information technology, financial- banking, tourism, services, entertainment toward a environmental friendly goal, and to share  experiences with start-up projects. Vietnam is constructing 3 major special economic zones and encouraging the investors to research and explore opportunities to invest in these special economic zones.

On behalf of the delegation, Mr. Yasuzuka IRINO thanked Minister Nguyen Chi Dung for information that had been shared, at the same time highly appreciated investment cooperation potentials in Vietnam. He hoped that in the coming time, Ministry of Planning and Investment will continue its best supports for the Japanese enterprises to invest in Vietnam. /.

Ministry of Planning and Investment