TOKYO — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc met representatives of many major Japanese enterprises in Tokyo on Monday, as part of his official visit to Japan.

The Japanese business representatives appreciated Việt Nam’s development potential in various spheres, noting with satisfaction the thriving extensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

An executive of J-Power introduced the group’s strength and capacity, along with its modern and environment-friendly technologies, and said it wanted to continue investing in coal electricity in Việt Nam.

Leaders of Capital Partners Securities and Daiwa Securities noted they had carried out a number of projects in securities and finance, along with cultural exchanges in Việt Nam. They hoped the meeting would create favourable conditions for their investment and co-operation activities with the country in the future.

The Japanese entrepreneurs also voiced their hope that PM Phúc would continue facilitating their firms’ production and business activities in Việt Nam.

At the meeting, Minister of Industry and Trade Trần Tuấn Anh applauded J-Power’s intention to expand investment in energy, adding that coal power was important to Việt Nam, as other energy sources were nearing the limit level, while renewable energy was in the initial phase in the country.

He noted the special attention given by the Vietnamese Government to environment protection while developing coal power.

Speaking at the working session, PM Phúc said it was a good time for Japanese enterprises to invest in Việt Nam, as the two countries had reached high-level agreements on boosting co-operation.

He said that Japan was the top supplier of Official Development Assistance, the third largest source of tourist arrivals and the fourth largest trade partner of Việt Nam, and bilateral co-operative potential between the two remained huge.

Việt Nam is striving for rapid and sustainable development, so that the demand for energy and finance for economic growth is extremely high, he said, adding that the Vietnamese Government was pursuing the goal of a transparent and constructive Cabinet which would best serve investors.

The PM assured the Japanese business community that Việt Nam considered the private sector and foreign direct investment important resources for the development of the country.

He asked Japanese firms to work closely with the Vietnamese ministries of Planning and Investment, and Industry and Trade to accelerate projects in Việt Nam, particularly those regarding infrastructure and power energy for production and consumption.

Urging Japanese investors to engage in equitisation of State-owned enterprises in Việt Nam, the leader said the Government was carrying out the policy to reduce State control and withdraw capital from many areas, including energy, finance and banking, which would open up many opportunities for Japanese investors.

PM Phúc also hoped to promote cultural co-operation between the two countries.

Later, the PM hosted receptions for Yuji Nakamine, a member of the board of directors and General Director for Asia, Europe, Pacific, the Middle East and Africa of Mazda, and President and CEO of Route Inn Katsutoshi Nagayama. — VNS