Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (r) receives a delegation from Hyogo prefecture led by its Governor Toshizo Ido in Hà Nội on Wednesday. –VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI – The Vietnamese Government has always promoted co-operation between Vietnamese localities and Japanese counterparts, including Hyogo prefecture, said Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc.

While hosting a delegation from Hyogo prefecture led by its Governor Toshizo Ido in Hà Nội on Wednesday, PM Phúc applauded the delegation’s visit as the Việt Nam-Japan strategic partnership is thriving and the two nations are celebrating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

In reply, Ido said that this is the third time he has visited Việt Nam and he was happy to witness positive changes in the country’s infrastructure.

He informed the PM that during its visit, the delegation will work with many Vietnamese localities, particularly HCM City and Hà Nam Province, in order to promote trade and investment cooperative relations.

Some 70 companies of Hyogo are investing in Việt Nam, while many other small- and medium-sized enterprises from the prefecture are looking to do business in the country, he added.

Ido expressed his belief that a large number of Vietnamese currently living in Hyogo prefecture would work as a bridge to foster its cooperative ties with Vietnamese provinces and cities.

The governor said Hyogo also wants to enhance human resources co-operation with Việt Nam, and voiced his hope that Vietnamese students will enroll in the upcoming international business courses in the prefecture.

PM Phúc lauded Ido’s proposals and expected that Hyogo prefecture will bolster collaboration with Vietnamese localities in the fields where it boasts strengths and Việt Nam has demands.

The Vietnamese Government will create optimal conditions for Japanese businesses to invest in the country, he promised.

The PM suggested the prefecture join hands with Việt Nam in personnel training and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese students to join the prefecture’s business courses.

He also asked Hyogo to increase people-to-people exchanges with Vietnamese provinces and cities to enhance mutual understanding, along with opening direct air routes to boost tourism co-operation.

Hyogo prefecture has cooperative ties with five Vietnamese localities, namely HCM City, Đồng Nai, Long An, Cần Thơ and Hà Nam provinces. It is home to the sixth-largest number of Vietnamese people living, studying and working in Japan.

The prefecture is known for its manufacturing industry, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, as well as heavy industries such as shipbuilding, power and machinery production, marine shipping, foodstuff, garments-textiles and jewellery. – VNS