At the advent of the New Year 2016, Vietnam Business Forum interviewed Mr Hiroshi Fukada, Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam, on Vietnam - Japan diplomatic relations over the past year. Thuy Vu reports.
2015 witnessed new progresses in Vietnam - Japan cooperation ties. Could you please tell about the new points in this cooperation?
Frequent visits by high-ranking leaders of both nations in 2015 reflected in the closer relationship between Japan and Vietnam. During the official visit to Japan by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong in September 2015, the two countries agreed, on the basis of “Extensive Strategic Partnership,” to deepen and strengthen bilateral ties in all aspects such as politics, security, economics, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
“Joint Vision Statement on Japan – Vietnam Relations” emphasised promoting long-term and sustainable bilateral economic connectivity in some areas that both parties have comparative benefits, potential and resources that can supplement and support each other for mutual sustainable development. The two sides focus on connecting their economic development strategies, production capacity and human resources. Especially, on agricultural cooperation, I think that it is highly significant that the two sides confirmed to make a joint effort to further promote bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector that Vietnam gives great importance on the basis of “Japan - Vietnam Medium-long Term Vision on Agricultural Cooperation”.
Based on the positive and deepened bilateral relations, in 2016, through official development assistance (ODA), Japan continues to support Vietnam to develop the economy and society, including infrastructure construction, health, agriculture, and human resource development. At the same time, I hope Japan and Vietnam will cooperate in improving trade and investment environment to further strengthen economic relations.
What do you think about Vietnam - Japan trade relations via FTAs, particularly the TPP? What solutions should the Governments and businesses of the two countries adopt to boost relations?
After the TPP takes effect, Vietnam will have better market access to boost agricultural, fishery and industrial exports. Besides, many "safe and sound" products of Japan will be more easily transferred to Vietnamese consumers. Besides, by applying high standards in investment and services, investment in Vietnam is expected to rise, including distribution and retailing which are very attractive to Japanese businesses in recent years. Additionally, by applying rules of origin adopted by TPP signatories, I hope that more and more investment opportunities will rise in such industries as garment and textile that Vietnam has placed high expectations as pillars of global supply chains.
To get maximum benefits from TPP, I think it is important that the governments of Japan and Vietnam implement full agreement contents, including the development of necessary legislation in each country and steady application even at the local level after the agreement takes effect. Besides, I hope that private firms of the two countries will utilise agreement contents to create more business opportunities. The Japanese government will also cooperate to implement this.
Could you please introduce some ODA projects for Vietnam to be executed in 2016 and beyond?
On the official visit to Japan by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong in September 2015, the two sides signed the exchange of notes on loan assistance for the Cho Ray Hospital 2 Project, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that Japan would provide 100 billion yen in loans for four projects, including North-South Expressway project and Lach Huyen Port Infrastructure project.
Moreover, after that, during the Japan - Vietnam Summit on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related Summit Meetings in November, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe informed Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung of the implementation of 170 billion yen for three ODA loan projects including Ho Chi Minh City Metro Project, thus bringing Japan’s ODA loan for Vietnam to a record 300 billion yen in the fiscal year 2015.
In the coming time, we will continue to cooperate with relevant authorities in Vietnam to steadily implement ODA projects.
On the occasion of Lunar New Year, do you have anything to share with our readers?
Fine cooperation ties between Japan and Vietnam have been nurtured by friendship and trust of the peoples of the two countries. In the coming time, I hope to continue to move forward and further develop good bilateral relations working hand-in-hand with you. I hope that Japan's ODA will be implemented smoothly and more and more Japanese companies will invest in Vietnam, through which Japan will cooperate with the Vietnamese Government and businesses to develop Vietnam.
Thank you very much!
Vietnamese
