CẦN THƠ — Mekong Delta firms should make use of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to do more business with Japan, experts told a conference in Cần Thơ city.

Japan is an important business partner for Việt Nam, especially the Mekong Delta, Nguyễn Phương Lam, director of the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Cần Thơ, said while speaking at the event on Tuesday (January 15).

Japan was one of the first countries to take part in the CPTPP along with Việt Nam, and is a partner of choice for VCCI Cần Thơ, he said.

Careful research of Japan markets and making use of the CPTPP would be beneficial to companies based in the delta, he added.

Đoàn Hữu Đức, director of the Việt Nam Consulting Group, said agriculture and seafood are the delta’s strengths and Japanese small and medium-sized firms are interested in them and are working with ASEAN member countries to source high-quality imports.

But Japanese companies are careful in their selection of partners, and being patient and getting to know them better is crucial, he said.

Nguyễn Thị Thương Linh, deputy director of VCCI Cần Thơ, said her organisation would solicit more investment in the delta to support the strategies and strengths of the provinces there, facilitate trade between local firms and Japan, and help build databases for the main local industries and research markets like Japan and Korea.

VCCI Cần Thơ will also help firms expand their markets, build brands and keep them informed about their markets.

More trade facilitation and networking events for Mekong Delta firms, especially with their Japanese counterparts, will be held later this year.

The CPTPP came into effect in Việt Nam on Monday, eliminating a large number of tariffs on Vietnamese exports.

The conference was organised by the VCCI. — VNS