Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc thanked Japan for providing Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Vietnam over the past 26 years, aiding the country’s effort to boost the economy, reduce poverty and develop infrastructure.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Kawamura Takeo, Chairperson of the Japanese House of Representatives’ Committee on Budget

He made the remarks while receiving Kawamura Takeo, Chairperson of the Japanese House of Representatives’ Committee on Budget, who is on a visit to Vietnam, in Hanoi on August 22.

Vietnam and Japan are enjoying booming relations in all fields with increasing high-level exchange and political trust, he said.

The PM described Japan as Vietnam’s top economic partner as it is the largest provider of ODA and the second biggest investor in Vietnam. The government of Vietnam highly appreciates Japanese ODA; and has put great efforts into fulfilling commitments on ODA-funded projects agreed by the two countries and making effective use of the ODA, he noted.

Phuc also spoke highly of the Vietnam – Japan University, a key project between the two countries, saying the Vietnamese government will provide all possible conditions for the university’s operation.

To take the two countries’ strategic partnership to a new height, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked his guest to back the expansion of the bilateral economic ties and FDI flow from Japan to Vietnam as well as support the continued provision of ODA to the Southeast Asian country, particularly in projects in infrastructure, high-quality human resources training and response to climate change. 

He affirmed that his government has consistently worked to facilitate Japanese investors doing business in Vietnam.

The PM also suggested that the two countries continue fostering cooperation in education and workforce training. He welcomed the pilot implementation of Japan’s KOSEN vocational training model in Vietnam and proposed Japan to accept more Vietnamese trainees. 

The two countries also need to accelerate exchanges between their people and localities, especially when they are celebrating the 45th anniversary of the diplomatic ties this year, to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Kawamura Takeo, for his part, conveyed thanks from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Vietnam for the support for the Japanese people at a time when they suffered from natural disasters recently.

He went on to say that the Japanese PM backed the view of promoting a close cooperation with Vietnam on bilateral and multilateral issues.

The Japanese House of Representative’s Committee on Budget looks forward to tightening partnership with Vietnam at large and the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentary Alliance in particular, said Takeo, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance.

He appreciated the Vietnamese government’s policy on facilitating the Vietnam – Japan University’s operation, noting he is happy to see Japanese language widely taught in Vietnam. He also unveiled that Japan is seeking more Vietnamese trainees.

Japan is looking forward to PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Japan for the upcoming Mekong-Japan Summit, the Japanese parliamentarian said.-VNA