(MPI) - The Vietnam-Japan official development assistance (ODA) policy dialogue was held at the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) on July 20. Director General of Department of Foreign Economic Relations, under the MPI Pham Hoang Mai and Head of Department of International Cooperation, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs TAKEHANA Masahiro co-chaired the event.
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Overview of the event. Photo: MPI |
The two sides reviewed the outcomes of cooperation, addressed difficulties and obstacles in the implementation of ODA projects from Japan to put forth future orientations and promote its progress as well as key areas between Vietnam and Japan in the coming time.
Director General Pham Hoang Mai noted that Japan has been the leading economic partner and the largest ODA provider of Vietnam. He suggested Japan to continue to support Vietnam in the agreed projects and provide Viet Nam with new-generation ODA, towards the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties (1973-2023).
He also informed about the orientation for attraction, management and use of ODA and concessional loans of foreign donors in the 2021-2025 period of Vietnam. ODA capital and concessional loans are prioritised for implementing socio-economic infrastructure development programs and climate change adaption and environmental protection projects. Foreign concessional loans are crucial resource contributing to Vietnam’s sustainability through practical and effective projects. Vietnam stands ready to improve the efficiency of ODA loans, create optimal conditions for Japanese businesses to explore investment environment and accelerate the project implementation.
TAKEHANA Masahiro spoke highly of the good relationship between Vietnam and Japan, as reflected through high-level visits of the two Prime Ministers. Japan will continue to promote its projects using concessional loans and new-generation ODA with new methods and the most incentives, focusing on six priority areas: (1) capacity improvement of the enforcement of law at sea; (2) human resources development and governance enhancement; (3) climate change responses and environmental solutions; (4) development of industrial infrastructure and connectivity; (5) social development such as healthcare, education; (6) digital transformation.
Japan will study and review the opinions of Vietnamese agencies, ministries and sectors to develop specific plans to implement future projects, the guest noted./.
Bao Linh
Ministry of Planning and Investment