CẦN THƠ — The southern major city of Cần Thơ is calling for investment in infrastructure projects worth nearly US$1 billion, deputy chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Trương Quang Hoài Nam said.

Speaking at a meeting between local authorities and a Japanese business delegation led by Kyoshiro Ichikawa, director of I.B.C Vietnam Co., Ltd and advisor to the Japan Desk Cần Thơ programme on Monday, Nam said the projects included an infrastructure system in Ô Môn industrial park, Thời Lái hi-tech zone, Côn Sơn tourism site and Côn Khương amusement park, as well as urban areas along Võ Văn Kiệt street and Cần Thơ logistic service centre.

Japan is considered a strategic partner of the Mekong Delta city of Cần Thơ, especially in high-tech agricultural and infrastructure development, Nam said.

Nam expected that the Japan Desk Cần Thơ programme, which was established early this year targeting Japanese firms operating in the locality, will further support the city in introducing and promoting its strengths and fields that the city is calling for investment in, thus attracting more Japanese investors. 

He suggested establishing an official representative office of the Japan Desk in Cần Thơ to facilitate information updating and other support activities for Japanese firms, which have poured investment or are going to invest into the city.

The city has 13 projects invested by Japanese businesses, with total investment capital of US$10.5 million. This investment is seen as moderate in comparison with the potential of the two sides.

Ichikawa said the Japan Desk will actively assist the city in attracting investment projects from Japan and provide effective support for Japanese enterprises operating in the city in particular and the Mekong Delta region in general. 

In the second half of 2017 and 2018, the Japan Desk expects to receive over 200 Japanese businesses, who will visit to survey investment opportunities in the city, he said, adding that apart from introducing Cần Thơ’s investment climate, the Japan Desk will collect feedback from Japanese companies operating in the locality to submit to the local authority. — VNS