Tokyo (VNA)🦄 – PrimeMinister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of Vietnamese ministries, agencies andlocalities on December 16 attended a dialogue with major Japanese economic corporations on greentransition and social infrastructure, as part of hisworking trip to the East Asian country for attendance at the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Yearof ASEAN- Japan Friendship and Cooperation and bilateral activities.

The two sides discussed practical and feasible solutions to boost bilateral trade andinvestment cooperation, especially in emerging areas. The Vietnamese side provided feedback on each specific proposal and idea put forth by Japanese corporations regarding the development of renewable energy, greentransformation in transport infrastructure, policies on electricvehicles, social infrastructure, health care, education, incentives for supporting industries, and settlement of difficulties faced by specific projects. They hoped that both sides will continue upholding the role ofbusiness dialogue mechanisms, especially the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative, todeal with new challenges in business operations on the principle of equalpartnership. In his speech, PM Chinh told them that so far this year, Vietnam has posted atrade surplus of around 25 billion USD, drawn roughly 30 billion USD inregistered foreign direct investment (FDI) and disbursed some 20 billion USD. Thecountry also exported around 8 million tonnes of rice, helping to ensure globalfood security. Vietnam will continue ensuring fundamental factors fordevelopment and further reduce compliance time, input and logistics costs, thusimproving its business competitiveness, he said, adding that with the policy ofselectively attracting FDI with a focus on quality, efficiency, moderntechnology, and environmental protection, Vietnam gives priority to attracting projectsin green economy, digital economy, circular economy, knowledge-based economy, sci-tech,innovation, electronic components, electric cars, as well as potential coretechnologies like semiconductor industry, new energy such as hydrogen,renewable energy, financial centre development, green finance, biotechnology,and health care. He suggested major Japanese corporations assist Vietnam inaccessing new-generation official development assistance (ODA), green finance for energy transition within the framework of the Just Energy TransitionPartnership (JETP) and the "Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), investmentresources for innovation, such as the Japanese Government's"Innovation/Digital Transformation Fund", aimed at providing impetusfor sustainable socio-economic development in the coming time. The Vietnamese leader also proposed Japanese investors further enhance collaboration in high-quality humanresources training, share experience in management and developing businessculture, step up research and development activities,innovation and technology transfer, contributing to the improvement of the resilience ofsupply chains to ensure stable production operations. With the spirit of"harmonising interests, sharing risks," the Vietnamese Governmentwill always accompany, listen to, support and create favourable conditions forforeign investors and those from Japan in particular to do businesssuccessfully and sustainably in the long term in Vietnam, he said.

At a workingbreakfast with leaders of the top 10 Japanese microchip companies on the same day, PM Chinh assuredthem that amid the ongoing global economic downturn, Vietnam stands as a safehaven, offering favourable conditions for businesses to invest and operate stablyand efficiently.

ꦜ The development based onscience-technology, including digital transformation and semiconductor industry, is anobjective requirement, a strategic choice and a top priority of Vietnam, heaffirmed.

To advance the semiconductorindustry, he said Vietnam focuses on developing hard and soft infrastructure, technological and social infrastructure, facilitating theattraction and transfer of science-technology, training human resources, buildingtransparent goals and policies, and smart governance. To make breakthroughs inthe semiconductor industry, PM Chinh called on the Japanese enterprises to invest inVietnam, including establishing research and development centres, groomingtop-notch talents, building manufacturing facilities, all aimed at integratingVietnam into global supply chains. On this occasion, theVietnamese Government leader hosted a reception for Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ken Saito, during which he suggested launching Vietnam-Japan cooperation in semiconductormanufacturing, chip design, artificial intelligence, big data, and more.He also welcomed Japanese businesses investing in semiconductor chip productionin Vietnam. He proposed Japanconsider and continue opening its market for Vietnamese fresh fruits, encouragemore Japanese businesses to shift their investments and production supplychains to Vietnam, especially in key and support industries; enhancecollaboration to fuel green transformation in Vietnam's pillar manufacturingsectors. Calling for effectivelycarrying out activities of the AZEC Promotion Working Team in the coming time,he said there is the need to soon sign a cooperation agreement on energytransition to concretise Vietnam's energy transition roadmap.

Receiving Chairmanand CEO of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Ishiguro Norihiko, the PM suggested JETRO continueworking with Vietnamese agencies to popularise Vietnam’s images, businessenvironment and opportunities to major Japanese corporations and enterprises.

꧙ He encouraged Japanese businesses to increase their investments in Vietnam and provide assistance in developing supporting industries, innovation linked to technologytransfer, especially high-tech, green, and clean technologies./.