In addition to traditional fields of cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, such as investment, trade, agriculture, education and training, the two sides are set to join hands in technology development and the digital transformation process in the coming time.

Delegates at the event. Photo: Baoquocte.vn

This was a sentiment shared by delegates at the Meet Japan 2020 conference held on November 25 in Hanoi, which served as a platform for Vietnamese localities and enterprises to search for potential partners in Japan in fields of trade, investment, agriculture, smart cities, and education, among others.

At the conference, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son noted the Vietnam – Japan strategic partnership in terms of economy, trade and investment remains a spotlight in the bilateral relations.

Mr. Son suggested Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide’s decision to choose Vietnam for his first trip abroad after taking office showed the importance of Vietnam for the Japanese government and its enterprises.

According to Mr. Son, there remains room for Vietnam – Japan relations in general, and the cooperation at provincial level in particular, for further development that would bring mutual benefits for people of the two countries.

Overview of the event. Photo: Baoquocte.

In the coming time, Vietnam would continue to finalize its legal framework and policies to enhance efficiency in international cooperation, with a focus on attracting high quality foreign direct investment of modern technologies, corporate governance, high added value and environmentally-friendliness.

Mr. Son expected such high quality projects from Japan could help local firms further integrate into global value chains.

Japan’s Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio reiterated his commitment to boost cooperation between Vietnam's localities and Japan's, as well as attract more investment from Japan to Vietnam.

As the two countries are looking forward to the 50^th anniversary of the diplomatic establishment of Vietnam – Japan (1973 – 2023), Mr. Takio hoped this conference would be a new step in resuming exchanges between the two in a new circumstance.

Japanese delegates at the conference said Vietnam is among Japan’s handful of partners whose economies are not only undisrupted by the pandemic but even contribute to boosting bilateral relations during this crisis.

Following a conference between Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Japanese firms in September, the official visit to Vietnam of Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide in October, this conference is the next major event with significant meaning for the Japan – Vietnam relations.