President Truong Tan Sang meets with Japanese Emperor Akihito. (Source: VNA)
Nhan Dan Online/VNA – President Truong Tan Sang has told Japanese Emperor Akihito that Vietnam always gives top priority to developing bilateral ties with Japan in the hope of furthering the relationship for the benefit of both peoples.
After delighting in an official welcome ceremony on March 17, President Sang praised Japan, calling it a beautiful country with a long-lasting culture, hardworking and creative people, and outstanding economic growth that is admired the world round.
He thanked the emperor, the royal family and the Japanese people for the warm sentiments they have displayed towards Vietnam.
The emperor said he appreciated Vietnam’s support to his country over the past years, especially after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Both host and guest praised the success of activities marking the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties in 2013, which can now 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—the invitation was accepted with pleasure.
President Sang and his wife are attending state banquet hosted by the emperor later today.
Also on March 17, President Sang met with Vice Chairman Masahiro Sakane of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren). He pledged to Japanese business leaders that Vietnam would continue to create the best possible conditions for foreign investors, including those from Japan.
President Truong Tan Sang and Vice Chairman Masahiro Sakane of Keidanren. (Source: VOV)
Meeting with Vice Chairman Masahiro Sakane of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), President Sang spoke highly of the federation’s role in enhancing economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries.
Co-operation frameworks and mechanisms established by Keidanren and Vietnam, such as the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative as well as their policy dialogue, have effectively contributed to building a more attractive investment climate in Vietnam, he said.
As part of his visit to Japan, the President participated in a seminar organised by Keidanren alongside the leaders of some of Japan’s largest business groups in order to provide Japanese businesses with the latest information on Vietnam’s economic situation and orientations, as well as the Government’s priorities in its co-operation with Japan.
He asked Japanese firms to place additional importance on education and training collaboration with the Vietnamese Government and Vietnamese businesses in order to encourage high-quality human resources.
The president assured his audience that Vietnam would keep its commitments to ensure the legitimate rights of investors.
Representatives of the Japanese groups made proposals on how to boost economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries, aimed especially at helping Vietnam achieve sustainable development and industrialisation goals by 2020.
The same day, President Sang had a working session with Chairman Hiroyuki Ishige of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), during which he expressed his delight at the organisation’s survey outcomes, which showed that up to 70 percent of Japanese businesses in Vietnam plan to expand their operations 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 would live up to its role as a bridge between Japanese firms and the Vietnamese market, adding that more and more Japanese businesses have shown interest in Vietnam.
At a meeting with Sumitomo Corporation CEO Kuniharu Nakamura, the Vietnamese leader noted with pleasure the smooth operation of the corporation’s projects in Vietnam.
He commended the corporation’s educational support to Vietnam, including its provision of more than 2,000 scholarships to Vietnamese students since 1996.
Đăng ký: VietNam News
