Vietnam considers Japan as an important and long-term partner, President Tran Dai Quang stated while giving a reception for Japanese Minister of Economic Revitalisation Toshimitsu Motegi in Hanoi on November 7.

President Tran Dai Quang (R) and Japanese Minister of Economic Revitalisation Toshimitsu Motegi

The President expressed his delight over the strong, comprehensive and substantial development of the intensive strategic partnership in various fields.

Regular visits by leaders from both sides, particularly those made by the Japanese royal couple, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Speaker of House of Representatives Oshima Tadamori and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, have contributed to bolstering the bilateral ties.

Japan is a leading partner of Vietnam when it is the largest official development assistance (ODA) provider, second largest investor and fourth largest trade partner, the Vietnamese leader highlighted.

Both sides inked the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA) and are putting forth negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), he said. 

There is large room for the two countries’ economic cooperation, he said, asking the both sides to promote collaboration in trade and investment.

Vietnam always welcomes Japanese businesses to expand investment in the country and will create favourable conditions to assure effective operation of Japanese enterprises for mutual benefits, he stressed.

He also took the occasion to welcome Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s attendance at the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week and thank Japan for its support to Vietnam in organising APEC 2017 events.

The Japanese official expressed his sympathy over heavy human and asset losses in central and Central Highlands localities caused by storm Domrey, believing that storm-hit people will soon stabilise livelihood and production.

Toshimitsu Motegi said that Japan is preparing to deploy relief activities to share Vietnamese people’s losses.

Regarding the strategic partnership with Vietnam, he underlined that the Japanese Government and enterprises always prioritise to expand investment and seek business opportunities in Vietnam.-VNA