One of Hanoi’s priorities in the last two months and coming time is to create utmost favorable conditions for foreign businesses, especially Japanese ones, to resume operations and return to their pre-Covid-19 conditions, according to Nguyen Duc Chung, chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee.

Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung (r) and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio. Photo: Hai Yen.

“The city would continue to accelerate administrative reforms to support businesses,” Chung said at a meeting with newly-appointed Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio on June 9.

Along with the fast-growing Hanoi – Japan relations, Japanese foreign direct investment (FDI) to Hanoi has been increasing over the past few years, Chung said, adding Japan has been the number one investor in Hanoi since 2016.

Major transportation projects financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have been instrumental in addressing traffic congestion in Hanoi, Chung highlighted.

According to the city's mayor, while Hanoi has succeeded in containing the Covid-19 pandemic, the Japanese government’s efforts in gradually controlling the pandemic could see a soon resumption of tourism, investment and business activities.

Chung informed that the city’s economic growth averaged 7.3% in the 2016 – 2019 period, and is estimated at 3.39% in the first six months of 2020.

Hanoi expects to achieve an economic expansion at 1.3 times higher than the national average, Chung said.

Chung asked the ambassador to continue promoting Japanese investment in Hanoi, as well as boosting cooperation with Hanoi’s authorities in hosting trade and tourism promotion events.

Hanoi pledges to support Japanese firms to resume operation post Covid-19. Photo: Hai Yen.

At the meeting, the ambassador said the bilateral relations have been growing strongly, in which Japan – Hanoi relations play an essential role.

Takio informed there are 10,000 Japanese living in Hanoi, and around 1,000 Japanese firms operating in North Vietnam.

As the world is diversifying global supply chains, Takio said Japanese investors have special interests in Hanoi.

To boost cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, Takio expected Hanoi to support Japanese citizens and experts in returning to Hanoi.

Takio added that last month, there were 70 Japanese citizens returning to Hanoi via Van Don airport. By the end of June, there would be another 500 Japanese citizens coming back.

The ambassador hoped this time, they could enter Vietnam via Noi Bai airport and undergo quarantine in Hanoi.

Regarding this issue, Chairman Chung said there would be no administrative obstacles for foreigners to come back to Vietnam. Hanoi would recommend Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan allow entry of Japanese citizens via Noi Bai Airport.

Chung added Hanoi’s quarantine protocol has become more flexible, as people are allowed to self-isolate at home or office.

Chung referred to PM Phuc’s instruction that Vietnam could resume flights with countries having no new Covid-19 cases in the last 30 days.

Chung invited the ambassador to attend and give a speech at Hanoi’s upcoming investment promotion conference which is set to take place on June 27.

The city government would issue investment certificates for both domestic and foreign projects with registered capital of a combined US$12 billion on this occasion, Chung said.