Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested Japan grant new generation official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam’s large-scale strategic infrastructure development projects such as roads and railways.

Chinh made the request during his reception for new Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa in Hanoi on October 10.

He appreciated the ODA capital the Japanese Government has provided to Vietnam recently, and proposed that the two sides work closely to speed up urban railway projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the Cho Ray Hospital No2 project in Ho Chi Minh City.

The PM assured his guest that Vietnam would continue to improve its investment environment, institutions, infrastructure, and human resources to support foreign investors, including those from Japan.

He proposed that the Japanese Government create conditions for Vietnamese businesses to engage more deeply in Japan’s global supply chain.

He also proposed that Japan consider simplifying entry procedures for Vietnamese citizens, and offering income tax and residence tax exemptions to Vietnamese interns working in Japan.

Minister Kamikawa affirmed that Japan would closely coordinate and support Vietnam in realizing its goal of becoming a developed, high-income industrial country by 2045.

She voiced Japan’s commitment to promoting bilateral cooperation in the fields of green transformation, digital transformation, climate change response, as well as encouraging Japanese businesses to continue investing in Vietnam.

The diplomat emphasized that the Japanese Government prioritizes promoting cooperation in human resource training with Vietnam. She expressed her wish that the two sides would cooperate in building Vietnam - Japan University to become an exemplary role model in the relationship between the two countries.

The minister also appreciated the role and positive contributions by nearly 500,000 Vietnamese expatriates to Japan’s socio-economic development over the years, and said the Japanese Government would provide continued support to the community in their host country.

Both host and guest exchanges views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

PM Chinh assured that Vietnam supports and would coordinate closely with Japan to ensure the success of the Japan – ASEAN Commemorative Summit later this year.

Vietnam is one of Kamikawa’s stopovers during her Southeast Asian tour from October 8 to 13 that also takes her to Brunei, Laos and Thailand.

VOV