Japan to provide US$1 billion in ODA for Vietnam

The amount will be allocated to five projects in Vietnam during the second half of the 2013 fiscal year.

The projects include two sections of the North-South Highway, two infrastructure development projects at Lach Huyen Port in Hai Phong city, and a programme to support Vietnam in responding to climate change and enhance its competitiveness.

The Japanese side also promised to consider Vietnam's proposal to build a Vietnam-Japan friendship hospital and expand the programme of training Vietnamese nurses in Japan.

During the talks, PM Shinzo Abe affirmed that Japan sees Vietnam as an important partner.

The two sides agreed on directions and a number of specific measures to further deepen the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership.

They expressed their delight at new progress in bilateral co-operation in all fields, while holding that practical activities in celebrating the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year and the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties have made significant contributions to the consolidation of friendship and a mutual understanding between the two peoples.

PM Dung said Vietnam always treasures co-operation with Japan and wishes to boost the strategic partnership with the country in a more comprehensive way.

The two leaders agreed on the significance of the maintenance of high-level meetings as well as the effective implementation of co-operation mechanisms, while lauding the setting up of the security dialogue mechanism.

The two sides pledged to continue their close co-ordination in the implementation of important economic co-operation projects such as the North-South Highway, the construction of the Ninh Thuan No. 2 nuclear power plant and the Vietnam Space Centre.

They committed to considering the possibility of signing a plan of action to boost agricultural co-operation between the two countries, including the establishment of a joint working group in the field.

The Vietnamese leader affirmed that Vietnam will create all possible conditions for Japanese firms to invest in Vietnam by effectively conducting the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative in improving investment environment in Vietnam.

He suggested that Japan pay more attention to the implementation of the Bach Dang bridge construction project, which is already underway.

Meanwhile, PM Shinzo Abe pledged to back Vietnam in carrying out of action plans in six prioritised sectors included in the Vietnam's industrialisation strategy and the Vietnam-Japan co-operation framework by 2020, with a view to 2030.

Japan will also consider Vietnam's suggestion to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese agricultural products to enter the Japanese market.

Both host and guest agreed that cooperation in human resources development is among key issues of the bilateral relationship, welcomed the initiative to establish the Vietnam-Japan University in Hanoi and consented to jointly facilitate the project's early implementation.

PM Dung proposed both sides conduct research on the possibility to set up a long-term co-operation programme in education and training.

The two leaders also discussed international and regional issues of common concern.

They agreed on the importance of ensuring peace, stability and development in the region, including security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation based on international laws.

They affirmed to continue closely working at international forums, organisations, contributing to co-operation and the prosperity of the region.

After the talks, PMs Dung and Abe witnessed the signing of a diplomatic note of exchange for three projects in the 2013 fiscal year worth JPY54 billion, namely the international terminal T2 of Noi Bai International Airport, the Da Nhim hydro-power plant and Hanoi's belt road 3's Mai Dich-Nam Thang Long section flyover.

At the joint press briefing, PM Dung thanked Japan for its ODA for Vietnam and said that the two sides proposed some new co-operation contents, including the Vietnam-Japan Friendship hospital project.

PM Abe congratulated the success of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year, affirming his country places importance to co-operating with Vietnam, especially in economics, trade, investment and human resources training.

Japan is willing to assist Vietnam in infrastructure development and human resources training, he said.

Earlier the same day, the Vietnamese Government leader also met with Vietnamese embassy staff and the Vietnamese community in Japan.

He noted that Japan always supports Vietnam's development strategy as well as its stance on sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Japan has also been Vietnam's largest official development assistance provider throughout the past two decades, while ranking first in the country's foreign investors line-up with a total capital of about US$35 billion.

Co-operation in defence, security, education and training is also on the rise, the leader said.

He urged the embassy staff to exert more efforts to further boost the friendship between the two countries in all areas, as well as mutual trust and understanding, while creating more chances for businesses of both sides to meet and partner.

The PM also asked the embassy and the Vietnamese community to act as a bridge linking Japan and Vietnam in all fields for the continual development of both countries.

Ambassador Doan Xuan Hung briefed Dung on the success recorded in the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year and bilateral ties which has made great strides in the fields of investment, labour and training.

The Vietnamese community has positively contributed to enhancing cross cultural exchanges and building a friendship between the two peoples, Hung said.

Later the same day, the Vietnamese leader concluded his four-day visit to Japan.

(Source: Nhandannewspaperonline)