Vietnam prioritises ties with Japan, says President

At the reception held shortly after the State-level welcome ceremony, Sang thanked the Emperor, the Royal family and Japanese people for the fine sentiments they have given to Vietnam. 

Emperor Akihito (L) received President Truong Tan Sang in Tokyo on March 17

The Emperor said he appreciates Vietnam’s support to his country over the past years, especially after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disasters. 

Both host and guest highly valued the success of activities marking the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties in 2013, saying that this will fuel the acceleration of bilateral ties to a new height. 

The President also took the occasion to invite the Emperor, his wife and members of the Japanese royal family to visit Vietnam, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure. 

President Sang and his wife are to join a state banquet hosted by the Emperor later the same day.

Meeting with Japanese firms

Vietnam will continue to create the best possible conditions for foreign investors, including those from Japan, to do business in the country, President Truong Tan Sang assured Japanese business leaders in Tokyo on March 17.

Meeting with Vice Chairman of Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) Masahiro Sakane, Sang spoke highly of the federation’s role in enhancing economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries. 

Cooperation frameworks and mechanisms established by Keidanren and Vietnam such as the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative or policy dialogue have effectively contributed to building a more attractive investment climate in Vietnam, he said. 

The President engaged in a Keidanren seminar with leaders of Japan’s largest groups, to update Japanese businesses on Vietnam’s economic situation and orientations as well as priorities in its cooperation with Japan. 

Sang asked Japanese firms to place more importance on collaboration with the Vietnamese Government and businesses in education and training in order to create high-quality human resources. 

Vietnam will seriously keep its commitments to ensure legitimate rights of investors, the President said. 

Representatives of Japanese groups voiced their proposals on how to boost economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries, especially to help Vietnam achieve sustainable development and its industrialisation goals by 2020. 

The same day, President Sang had a working session with Chairman of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Hiroyuki Ishige.

He expressed his delight at the organisation’s recent survey showing that up to 70% of Japanese businesses in Vietnam plan to expand their operation in the country. 

The leader expressed his hope that two-way trade between Vietnam and Japan will reach US$50 billion before 2020. 

For his part, the JETRO Chairman said the organisation will play well its role as a bridge between Japanese firms and the Vietnamese market, adding that an increasing number of Japanese businesses are showing their interest in Vietnam. 

At a meeting with Chief Executive Officer of Sumitomo Corporation Kuniharu Nakamura, the Vietnamese leader noted with pleasure the smooth operation of the corporation’s projects in Vietnam. 

He highly valued the corporation’s support to Vietnam in education, including its provision of more than 2,000 scholarships to Vietnamese students since 1996.