Hanoi and Japan's Kanagawa Prefecture signed a memorandum of understanding this week to boost ties.
| Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh (left) and Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture Kuroiwa Yuji (R) sign an MoU. Photos: VNA |
In a meeting with Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh and a high-ranking delegation from Hanoi on October 17, Kanagawa Prefectural Governor Kuroiwa Yuji expressed his pleasure at the signing of the document and said that the MoU is a strong foundation for the relationship between the two places.
Stressing the importance of cultural exchange activities, Governor Kuroiwa announced that the Kanagawa Festival will be held in Hanoi on November 16-17. He expressed the hope that this will create more opportunities for the two regions to strengthen cooperation.
The Governor appreciated Hanoi's support for Kanagawa in organizing the Kanagawa Festival in Vietnam in 2023. He also shared that the Vietnam Festival held in Kanagawa in September attracted over 200,000 visitors.
Governor Kuroiwa also said that the Kanagawa government encourages Japanese businesses to invest in Vietnam. There are currently 27 Kanagawa companies operating in Vietnam. He also expressed his condolences to the people of Vietnam for the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi.
For his part, Chairman Tran Sy Thanh described Governor Kuroiwa as a close friend of Vietnam. Thanh also hailed Governor Kuroiwa's affection and dedication to nurturing the Vietnam-Japan friendship and attracting Vietnamese to live in the Japanese prefecture.
Chairman Thanh hoped that the Kanagawa government would continue to support the Vietnamese community and businesses in Kanagawa.
Chairman Thanh thanked Kanagawa for celebrating the Vietnam Festival since 2015, giving the Vietnamese people in Kanagawa the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of their homeland.
He also suggested that during the upcoming November visit to Vietnam, Kanagawa officials work with their counterparts in Hanoi to discuss concrete steps to implement the newly signed MoU.
Relations with Tokyo
Hanoi wants to expand its collaboration with Tokyo, one of the developed cities, in digital transformation, smart city development, green economy, and circular economy, Chairman Thanh said on October 16.
| Chairman Thanh (left) meets Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko. |
Chairman Thanh praised Tokyo's leadership in two-way cooperation initiatives, the most recent example being the G-nets 2024 Conference.
At this conference, Hanoi gained valuable insights on sustainable local development in technology, infrastructure and culture, he said.
The Mayor of Hanoi said that local authorities are working to develop legal frameworks and policies to stimulate future development and create new growth engines for the capital.
These will be essential legal foundations to enable Hanoi to maximize its advantages and grow rapidly and sustainably with a new stature and position.
He also thanked the Japanese government and non-governmental organizations for their assistance in helping Vietnam recover from the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi.
In response, Tokyo Governor Koike Yuriko agreed with Chairman Thanh to strengthen cooperation between the two capitals in various fields.
She said that Tokyo is willing to share experiences in disaster prevention and infrastructure development.
Governor Koike also suggested that Hanoi introduce young startups and invite them to participate in the exchange of experiences in urban sustainability development.
Japanese firms welcome to Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park
Hanoi welcomes Japanese high-tech enterprises to invest and operate in the Lang-Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, which has only 30% of its area leased, Hanoi Mayor Thanh said at a meeting with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) on October 16.
| Chairman Thanh (left) and JETRO Chairman Ishiguro Norihiko. |
Hanoi is seeking further cooperation with JETRO to promote investment opportunities and incentives for Japanese businesses, he said.
Hanoi encourages and supports Japanese enterprises to increase investment in areas such as green transition, digital transformation, circular economy, knowledge economy, climate change adaptation, supporting industries and innovation, especially in high-tech, green and clean technologies, Chairman Thanh said.
He expected JETRO to provide assistance in human resource training, corporate governance and policy-making, and for Japanese investors to participate in the development of public-private management models in industrial zones.
Hanoi is committed to supporting and facilitating business investment, streamlining administrative procedures, and solving challenges to reduce costs for businesses, Chairman Thanh said.
The city ensures political and social stability to enable long-term business operations under the principle of "shared benefits, shared risks," he added.
Thanh pledged to provide JETRO with the necessary information on its development and to introduce Hanoi's progress to Japanese businesses.
Chairman Thanh hoped that the two sides would continue to work together to organize effective investment promotion activities in the future.
Ishiguro Norihiko noted that private investment from Japan to Vietnam has been steadily increasing and now stands at US$12.5 billion, mainly in the manufacturing, retail, and trade sectors.
Based on agreements between the two governments focusing on digital and green transitions, JETRO is currently promoting innovation and has launched a forum called J-BRIDGE, which connects 2,600 companies.
Ishiguro also pointed out JETRO's connection to databases of 300 Vietnamese start-ups. Over the past three years, JETRO has organized hundreds of small, medium, and large-scale experience-sharing events. In October 2024, JETRO hosted an event at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park attended by six major companies to discuss future innovation cooperation between the two countries' businesses.
Regarding Thang Long Industrial Park's goal to become a model smart industrial zone, JETRO has been cooperating in various ways, including financial support, especially in initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions, Chairman Ishiguro said.
Ishiguro praised Hanoi's efforts over the years, particularly in human resources training and research and development, to achieve the top position in Vietnam's 2024 Provincial Innovation Index.
He expressed his hope that JETRO and its member companies could work with Hanoi to further strengthen cooperation in the field of innovation.
Hanoi Mayor Thanh agreed with Chairman Ishiguro's suggestions, noting that smart urban development based on green and sustainable innovation is a key direction Hanoi is currently pursuing.
He also commended JETRO for its practical and effective contributions to promoting investment and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in general, and between Hanoi and the Japanese business community in particular.
Hanoi highly values the Japanese business community in Vietnam, which is known for its serious, reputable, and responsible investors who conduct effective business operations, prioritize environmental protection, and care for the well-being of workers, Chairman Thanh said.
