At the meeting, themed “Nghe An-Japan Meeting: Cooperation and Development”, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Thai Thanh Quy reported that total Japanese-funded programmes and projects in the province has reached 44 with a combined investment of nearly 5.1 trillion VND (219.3 million USD).
Currently, the province is hosting seven Japanese FDI projects with a total capital of 72.19 million USD, mostly in limestone mining, food processing, and garment and textile, he said.
The provincial leader called on Japanese businesses to strengthen investment in tourism, industry, agriculture, trade, services, education and training, and health care.
Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Umeda Kunio said that in the future, Japan will support and invest in Nghe An in tourism and education-training. He expressed his hope that Nghe An will create optimal conditions for partnership between the two sides.
Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue said that the conference is a chance for the two sides to seek measures to boost their collaboration in economy, trade, agriculture, education-training, and culture.
The Vietnam-Japan relationship is now in the best period since the two sides set up their diplomatic relations, with strong partnership from central to local levels, he noted.
He said he hopes that through the conference, Japanese investors will get a better understanding of Nghe An and promote their investment and operation in the province, while making plans for long-term operation in the locality.
Hue asked leaders of Nghe An to work harder to improve its business and investment environment, speed up administrative reform at all levels, design policies to attract resources, and promote the transformation of economic structure and growth model.
Local firms should be more creative and strengthen their connections to meet the demand of Japanese investors, while popularizing the potential for cooperation and business in their locality, he said.
Hue suggested that Nghe An should organise the event twice a year to deal with obstacles facing bilateral affiliation in a timely manner.