Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe attend the military parade during his official visit to Vietnam, Jan 16-17
Vietnam-Japan cooperation is flourishing, reaching the scale of strategic partnership since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973. The cooperation is expanding in all fields, namely economic, political-diplomatic, science-technology and education.
According to the statistics of the General Department of Customs, in the first three months of 2013, the two-way trade of the two countries increased to US$5.7 billion, up 1.5 percent year on year, with US$3.1 billion in export (decreased by 0,07 percent), US$2.6 in import (increased by 3.5 percent). The two countries set the target of US$30 billion in 2015. The export items of the two countries are mutually complementary. Vietnam exports to Japan crude oil, apparel, transport vehicles, machines, and equipment and aqua products, with crude oil on the top of the list. Meanwhile, Vietnam imports from Japan equipment and materials for production.
On September 4-6, 2013, in Hanoi, VCCI together with JETRO and Nikkei-BP (Nikkei Business Publications) will co-organise the Vietnam-Japan Economic Summit 2013 (VJES 2013). It will be an important event to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan. The objective of VJES 2013 is to promote cooperation between the two countries and business communities, updating business information and opportunities and reviewing bilateral economic relations. VJES 2013 will focus on three topics: Vietnam-Japan cooperation in infrastructure development, Strategy on industrialisation and supporting industries, and Human resources development, with the participation of leading experts, entrepreneurs and government officials. |
Concerning investment, Japan sharply increased investments in Vietnam in the past three years, becoming the biggest investor and contributing positively to Vietnamese economic development. By June 2013, Vietnam has in total 15,067 FDI projects with registered capital of over US$218.8 billion; Japan accounted for 1,990 projects and over US$32.6 billion, on the top in both projects and investment capital. Recently, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung signed a decision on Vietnamese industrialisation strategy in cooperation with Japan to 2020 and with a vision of 2030. Accordingly, Vietnam gives high priorities to six industries: automobile and parts, environment and energy saving, electronics, farming machines, agricultural and fisheries processing and ship building. Those industries will become the mainstay of the economy, with high added value and competitiveness in the world market.
Important developments have also been recorded in culture and education. The two countries have co-sponsored programmes and events such as art performances, festivals, exhibition on Japanese land and people, Japanese film week in Vietnam, Vietnam Day in Japan and Japan Day in Vietnam.
In 2013, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the two countries have sponsored “Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year” with important events on political-diplomatic, economic, cultural activities to promote the special relationship.
Prof Dr To Huy Rua, Head of Organisation Commission of Vietnam Communist Party Central Committee, Chairman of Vietnam-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Organisation
Vietnam and Japan established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1973 and increasingly developed bilateral relations with high-level cooperation institutions at ministries, localities and businesses. As a result, in the past 40 years, bilateral relations have been developing markedly in all fields.
Vietnam, with advantages in geographical location, young and big workforce, and creativeness, and Japan with advanced technology, financial potential and management expertise, can complement each other in economic development. Vietnam is not only a long-term investment destination for Japanese businesses, but also a reliable partner for Japanese people.
Mr Yasuaki Tanizaki, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, Chairman of the Steering Committee of “Japan-Vietnam Friendship Year”
2013 has marked an important development in Japan-Vietnam relations with a series of activities celebrating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations (September 21, 1973 – September 21, 2013) and promoting strategic partnership and friendship. In the past 40 years, the bilateral relations have been developing solidly and extensively in the interests of strategic partnership for peace, prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
This can be seen in the figure of over 1,100 Japanese companies, members of Japanese Businesses Association in Vietnam (JBAV). Japanese businesses in the two biggest industrial zones in Vietnam have created over 100,000 jobs and will add even more in the future. In 2012, Japan was the biggest foreign investor in Vietnam with new and re-investment capital of some US$5 billion, accounting for nearly 40 percent of FDI investment capital in Vietnam. The percentage is remarkable and clear evidence of the success of economic cooperation between Japan and Vietnam.
Dr Vu Tien Loc, VCCI President & Chairman, Vice Chairman of Vietnam-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Organisation, Vice Chairman of Steering Committee of Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year
40 years is long enough to certify the close ties between Vietnam and Japan in vigorous and extensive development in all fields. Japanese people and businesses in particular have actively assisted Vietnamese businesses in industrialization, modernization and international economic integration. The total bilateral trade value increased repeatedly in the past 20 years, most significantly in recent years. Since 1993, Vietnam has received important investment projects of Japanese businesses and Japan has become the biggest investor in Vietnam. Japanese businesses have invested in over 1,700 projects with total capital of some US$23.3 billion.
In the conditions of economic difficulties, the strategic partnership and friendship between Vietnam and Japan serve as a strong lever to promote the cooperation and development of the business communities of the two countries.
Mr Hirokazu Yamaoka, Chief Representative of Japan External Trade Organization, Hanoi Office
Currently, Japan is the top FDI player in Vietnam and new Japanese FDI to Vietnam is continuing to increase. Japanese companies received 234 new investment licenses in 2011, and 317 in 2012. New Japanese FDI projects in 2012 make up 25 percent of the total FDI projects in Vietnam, and the total amount of new Japanese FDI capital in 2012 covers 50 percent of the total in Vietnam.
In addition to FDI in the private sector, Japan also plays an important role in economic cooperation, being the biggest donor to Vietnam in ODA. More than 70 percent of Japanese ODA is utilized for infrastructure projects, including transportation and power plants in Vietnam. At the same time, Japanese ODA greatly contributes to Vietnamese people’s quality of life.
This year, Japan and Vietnam will mark our friendship with the 40th anniversary celebration of our diplomatic relationship. Also, Vietnam celebrates the 25th year of foreign investment. This is an opportunity to strengthen the economic cooperation between the two countries for the future.
Thu Ha
Đăng ký: VietNam News
