Vietnam desires to draw high-quality capital flows from Japan to give a boost to its economy especially following the recent approval of the European Union – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the Vietnamese National Assembly.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) hosts a reception
for new Japanese Ambassador Yamada Takio

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc was speaking this at a June 9 reception in Hanoi for the new Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio.

During the reception, PM Phuc told his guest that Vietnam always considers Japan as one of the most important and long-term partners and wishes to further deepen the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

He also assured Vietnam’s readiness to ensure suitable quarantine measures in order to welcome Japanese experts and investors to the country as well as dispatch its trainees to Japan.

Despite the impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the two countries have maintained exchange channels within both bilateral and multilateral frameworks, as well as worked closely together to successfully hold the online meeting of ASEAN+ 3 leaders on COVID-19 response.

The new Japanese Ambassador, in turn, congratulated Vietnam on successfully containing the pandemic and expressed his confidence that once the pandemic is brought under control worldwide, Vietnam will become an attractive business destination.

The diplomat said he hopes that both nations would further step up medical cooperation programme and facilitate Vietnamese trainees’ entry into Japan as a means of tightening bilateral ties.

PM Phuc said the control of the pandemic has helped the nation’s socio-economic development rebound in the “new normal” condition, while suggesting the two sides bolster bilateral cooperation in the post-COVID-19 period, including loosening immigration regulations.

He asked the ambassador to incentivize Japanese firms to expand operations in Vietnam, especially in high-tech agriculture, processing and support industries, and technological transfer.

Vietnam will push ahead with improving its business climate and offer optimal conditions for Japanese enterprises to do business in the country, he stated, adding that the two sides need to promote closer coordination in preventing the coronavirus pandemic from negatively affecting bilateral economic ties.

With regard to official development assistance (ODA), PM Phuc expressed his wish that the Japanese diplomat would work to speed up the effective implementation of joint projects, continue helping Vietnam with high-quality personnel training, administrative reform and e-government.

He suggested Japan continue working hand in hand with Vietnam at regional and global forums, and support Vietnam’s stance on the East Sea issue.

The Vietnamese Government chief believed that during his tenure in Vietnam, the Japanese ambassador will well perform his role as a bridge to further promote and deepen the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership, while saying that the Vietnamese Government will create favorable conditions for the ambassador to successfully fulfill his tasks.