The two sides exchanged views at the meeting. Photo: Tran Cuong

At the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dieu provided an overview of Dong Thap province's socio-economic development in recent times and its attraction of FDI investment. Accordingly, as of now, the province has attracted 06 FDI projects from Japan, with a total investment capital of US$101.4 millions, mainly concentrated in processing and manufacturing industries such as: The commercial center construction investment project of AEON MALL Viet Nam Co., Ltd.; Neichirei Suco Viet Nam fruit processing factory, etc.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also presented some development orientations for high-quality agriculture, industrial park development, and logistics in the province in the coming time; in which, Dong Thap focuses on developing aquatic products processing, fruit processing, and supporting industries. The province is calling for investment in industrial parks with a scale of 300 – 500 hectares; at the same time, this year, the province strives to start construction on 02 to 03 industrial parks. In addition, the province is focusing on developing the marine economy, planning a general port capable of accommodating ships of about 7,000 tons.

Through the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dieu extended an invitation to the JETRO and Japanese partners to visit and work with Dong Thap to discuss in more detail the issues of interest to the JETRO, and to invite Japanese businesses to invest in infrastructure or secondary projects in these industrial parks.

Provincial leaders exchange with the JETRO. Photo: Tran Cuong

The representative of the JETRO thanked the Dong Thap provincial leadership delegation for their interest, visit, and work. Currently, the JETRO is interested in introducing Japanese businesses to invest in the southern provinces and cities of Viet Nam. The organization is carrying out market research activities and organizing related seminars to seek partners.

The JETRO suggested that Dong Thap province pay attention and send representatives to participate in these activities when invited by the JETRO. The JETRO also stated that when implementing investment projects abroad, Japanese businesses are very concerned about legal and tariff issues. In addition, to enhance the attraction of Japanese businesses to invest in Dong Thap, the JETRO suggested that the province pay attention to preparing legal investment documents in Japanese or English. The JETRO was pleased to learn that Japanese businesses have already invested in Dong Thap. The JETRO will direct its representative office in Ho Chi Minh City to soon implement investment connections in Dong Thap; it is confident that in the coming time, Dong Thap will attract many Japanese businesses to invest.

Following the representative of the JETRO, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dieu said that the province is adjusting its planning and preparing to announce the plan. Dong Thap will review and issue a list of projects calling for investment in multiple languages, including Japanese. The Provincial People's Committee is committed to fully implementing investment support policies, directing specialized agencies to support and create favorable conditions for foreign businesses in general, as well as Japanese businesses in particular, when investing in the province.

The two sides took a souvenir photo. Photo: Tran Cuong

By Khac Huy – Tran Cuong