President Trần Đại Quang (R) on Thursday receives Kiyoshi Ueda, Governor of Saitama prefecture.— VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sáng

HÀ NỘI — President Trần Đại Quang on Thursday stressed Việt Nam’s consistent policy to promote extensive strategic partnership with Japan, considering it a trustworthy and long-term partner in diverse areas. 

Stronger VN-Japan ties will promote peace and prosperity in Asia, he said at a reception held in Hà Nội for Kiyoshi Ueda, Governor of Saitama prefecture.

For more than two decades, Japan has always been the largest donor to Việt Nam, with a total official development assistance amounting to nearly US$25-27 billion, mostly for infrastructure development, the President said. 
Japan is also the second largest investor in Việt Nam with more than 3,500 projects worth over $46 billion, and the nation’s sixth largest trading partner with roughly $30 billion in two-way trade, he added. 
Quang suggested that both countries provide optimal support for either country’s businesses in investment, trade, tourism and labour export. 
Việt Nam is improving its business climate to create a level playing field for all firms, he said, adding that the country welcomes Japanese investors, including those from Saitama prefecture, to expand their investment in the country. 
He also expressed his wish that apart from infrastructure, Việt Nam looks to extend bilateral partnership in fields of Japan’s strength, including advanced technology, agriculture, industry, and food hygiene to meet requirements of Industry 4.0. 
Kiyoshi Ueda briefed the Vietnamese President on the potentials and strengths of Saitama prefecture, as well as the region’s business operations in Việt Nam. 
He said it was his fifth visit to Việt Nam since he took office in 2012. The prefecture and the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to create favourable conditions for Saitama firms to do business in Việt Nam, he noted. 
Among 47 Japanese cities and provinces, Saitama ranks fifth in economic size and gross domestic product, and is home to large-scale plants in the fields of industry, technology, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, he said. 
Saitama’s businesses also highly value the business environment in Việt Nam and its hard-working workforce, he said. The prefecture hopes for more support from the MPI, he added. 
At the reception, Japanese Ambassador to Việt Nam Kunio Umeda conveyed a message from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe saying that he is looking forward to meeting President Quang during the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Đà Nẵng City. — VNS