Hanoi is committed to accelerating major infrastructure projects funded by Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds, seen as a key source of socio-economic development.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh (r) and Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan Mori Masafumi (l). Photo: The Hanoi Times

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh stressed the view during a meeting with Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan Mori Masafumi on December 7.

During the meeting, Masafumi referred to the mutual understanding reached during President Vo Van Thuong's visit to Japan in late November 2023 regarding aid capital. The two sides stressed that Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Vietnam has played a constructive role in the country's socio-economic development over the past three decades.

The special advisor reiterated Japan's commitment to enhancing cooperation to bolster ODA collaboration and advance large-scale, high-quality infrastructure development projects in Vietnam. He expressed the wish that the city government actively oversee and facilitate projects utilizing Japanese ODA capital, ensuring their speedy implementation to contribute to the development of both Hanoi and Vietnam.

Highlighting two notable Vietnam-Japan cooperation projects—the north Hanoi smart city project (in collaboration with Japan's Sumitomo Group and Vietnam's BRG) and the Yen Xa wastewater treatment plant project—Masafumi commended Hanoi leaders for their attention, support, and close direction in these initiatives.

However, Masafumi pointed out certain challenges in the two projects and urged Hanoi to address them and find solutions to expedite their completion.

Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh reiterated the symbolic significance of these major projects, which mark a new milestone in the cooperation between the two nations and are particularly meaningful during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Thanh disclosed that Hanoi has formed a working group to review legal documents and regulations and is actively seeking solutions to overcome obstacles and accelerate project progress.

The special advisor appreciated this information, assuring both sides, especially the businesses involved, would continue collaborating with Hanoi and Vietnamese authorities to move the projects forward.