Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has suggested the Japan ExternalTrade Organisation (JETRO) help Japanese firms further expand their operationsin Vietnam, especially in green and digital transformation, circular andknowledge-based economy, climate change adaptation, supporting industries,innovation and technology transfer, particularly advanced, green and cleantechnologies.

At areception in Hanoi on May 5 for JETRO Chairman Ishiguro Norihiko, PM Chinhthanked and highly valued JETRO’s practical and effective contributions topromoting trade and investment ties between the two countries.

Accordingto the PM, the Vietnam - Japan extensive strategic partnership has been growingin various areas, with high political trust and closer connections between thetwo economies and people. Japan has continued to hold the position of Vietnam'stop economic partner, the biggest partner in official development assistance(ODA), the second biggest partner in labour, the third largest partner in investmentand tourism, and the fourth biggest partner in trade. Japan is also embarkingon a new-generation ODA programme for Vietnam to help the country recover itseconomy following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Asthere remains huge room for bilateral economic, trade, and investmentcooperation, the government leader suggested Japan and JETRO continue assistingVietnam in building an independent and self-reliant economy that actively andeffectively integrates into the world, contributing to elevating the Vietnam-Japanrelationship to a new height.

Healso proposed JETRO continue working with Vietnamese agencies to populariseVietnam’s images, potential, business opportunities and incentives to majorJapanese firms; train workforce and share management experience, and call onJapanese investors to join and multiply the model of "public leadership,private administration" in industrial parks.

Highlightingcultural similarities and closeness between Vietnam and Japan, the PM proposedboth sides step up people-to-people exchanges and labour cooperation,particularly in vocational training and IT workforce.

As thetwo countries are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of bilateraldiplomatic relations this year, he asked JETRO to work closely with Vietnameseministries and agencies to hold trade and investment promotion activitieseffectively and practically.

TheVietnamese Government always accompanies and offers all possible support to thebusiness community, continues holding dialogues to listen to investors, reformadministrative procedures, and deal with difficulties and obstacles faced bythem, PM Chinh said, adding that political and social stability will bemaintained to help investors do business for a long term in the spirit ofharmonising interests and sharing risks.

Norihiko,for his part, expressed his high expectation for Vietnam’s development and therelationship between the two countries, especially in green growth and digitaltransformation.

JETROhighly appreciates the Prime Minister's dialogues to listen to opinions offoreign investors, including Japanese businesses, which have helped to resolvetheir difficulties and obstacles.

Vietnam is the only country in ASEAN where JETRO has two representative officesin Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, he said, adding that these are also the busiestoffices of JETRO in the world, demonstrating that Vietnam is a highlyattractive investment destination, especially in the context of recentdisruptions in the global supply chain.

Norihikoalso hoped to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the events celebrating the50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and pledged to make every effortto contribute to the increasingly developing Japan-Vietnamrelationship./.