The new Chairman of JCCI Kinoshita Tadahiro meets Chairman of VCCI Pham Tan Cong

Chairman of VCCI, Pham Tan Cong, received Mr. Kinoshita Tadahiro, the new Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (JCCI), leading a delegation for a friendly exchange. During the meeting, both sides engaged in discussions and proposals with the aim of further enhancing the flourishing relationship between Vietnam and Japan, both in terms of trade and culture.

At the meeting, Pham Tan Cong and Kinoshita Tadahiro discussed the economic situation in Vietnam as well as Japanese business operations in the country. The new Chairman of JCCI congratulated VCCI on its 60th anniversary, a significant milestone as Vietnam and Japan also celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations with numerous meaningful activities.

Regarding investment and business activities in Vietnam, Tadahiro highly praised the investment and business environment in Vietnam, reflected in the improving administrative procedures that the government has been focusing on. He also acknowledged the vital role played by VCCI in providing policy advice and recommendations to support the Japanese business community and other countries in Vietnam.

Both sides had very productive exchanges regarding the business situation of Japanese companies in Vietnam.

In particular, the leadership of JCCI expressed their gratitude to VCCI for successfully organizing the Vietnam-Japan Economic Forum in February. This was an important event that facilitated the connection and exchange between businesses of the two countries, discussing successes and challenges in business operations and actively proposing new ideas and cooperation opportunities in the recovery phase of the Vietnamese and Japanese economies after the pandemic.

In terms of investment cooperation, Japanese FDI has been present in 57 out of 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam. As of December 2022, Japan had 4,978 active FDI projects with a total registered capital of over $68.89 billion, ranking third among 141 countries/territories investing in Vietnam.

During the discussion with Chairman of VCCI, Pham Tan Cong, Mr. Tadahiro also highlighted some challenges faced by Japanese businesses. Among them, the issue of local power shortages in the northern region has negatively affected the operations of Japanese businesses, especially in industrial and export processing zones. Additionally, there were other concerns such as labor shortages and fire safety regulations that needed attention.

In the commemorative year of 2023, the leaders of both sides expect to have more substantial and high-quality promotion and investment activities. Particularly, Japan hopes that VCCI, along with JCCI, will collaborate and organize a large-scale music festival at the end of this year.

Chairman of VCCI, Pham Tan Cong, expressed sincere gratitude to the leadership of JCCI, recognizing Japanese businesses as an important factor contributing to Vietnam's development. Especially in the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, VCCI wishes for both countries to organize various promotional programs, demonstrating the enduring friendship and deepening cooperation in the future.

Both sides emphasized that there will be additional programs to further promote the good relationship between Vietnam and Japan this year.

The leadership of VCCI welcomed the proposals from the Japanese side, considering them as highly important issues that the Vietnamese business community and government are making efforts to address in order to provide the best support for foreign businesses, particularly the Japanese business community, to invest and operate in Vietnam. In the coming time, VCCI will strive to coordinate with relevant parties to promptly address and support each issue of concern to Japan.

Highlighting the "Faith" of Japanese business, Pham Tan Cong assessed it as one of the oldest and most renowned business cultures in the world. He expressed his desire for Japan to share with Vietnam the lessons and experiences in building a corporate culture and sustainable entrepreneurship based on trustworthiness, which is a priority that VCCI is pursuing. The Chairman of JCCI was delighted with the proposal from VCCI, considering it as a fresh direction for both sides to expand their cooperation even further.