Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh delivers speech at the opening session of the Global Summit of Women 2017 in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday.— VNA/VNS Photo Quang Hải

TOKYO — Việt Nam’s efforts and achievements in promoting the role and status of women in economic development was highlighted by Vietnamese Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh at the opening session of the Global Summit of Women 2017 in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday.

In her speech at the event, the Vice President emphasised the significance of the summit, saying that it has become a venue where the potential of women can be realised, new connections established and exchanges furthered to strengthen the role of women in the economy of each country and the world at large.

She applauded the theme of the summit, “Beyond Womenomics: Accelerating Access”, stressing that the application of womenomics in Japan and other countries will not only ensure women receive equal access to employment opportunities but also create lead to other economic benefits.

It is necessary to develop a comprehensive legal and institutional framework on gender equality to form the legal basis and apparatus to implement female empowerment measures, she noted.

“Government agencies, localities and businesses can develop strategies and policies on gender equality, such as the promotion of female participation in the economy and ensuring equal opportunities for women in education, employment and job promotion across both public and private sectors,” she said.

“It is up to women themselves to take actions to keep up with the increasingly demanding requirements of the economy,” she added.

On the same day, the Vietnamese delegation was active in the summit’s activities.

Former Vice President Trương Mỹ Hoa was a key speaker at a press conference, while Secretary of the Vĩnh Phúc provincial Party Committee Hoàng Thị Thúy Lan and Vice Secretary of the Hà Nội municipal Party Committee Ngô Thị Thanh Hằng attended a forum of mayors. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Hồ Thị Kim Thoa participated in a ministerial-level seminar on public partnership relating to increasing economic opportunities for women working in enterprises.

The GWS, scheduled for May 11-15, will encompass discussions on speeding up women’s ascent to business leadership, scaling up the growth of women-owned enterprises, opening up the global market to women in business, moving more women into technology industries and fostering support policies for women.

As many as 1,300 female delegates from over 60 countries are attending the event.

Business forum

Japanese firms are welcomed to invest in Việt Nam, particularly in the support industry, manufacturing, energy saving industry and hi-tech agriculture, Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh said at a Việt Nam-Japan business meeting in Tokyo the same day.

Addressing an audience of about 300 Vietnamese and Japanese firms at the meeting, the Vice President, who is on a week-long visit to Japan, said that Việt Nam-Japan ties were growing strongly in all fields. 

She highlighted Việt Nam’s policy of treasuring relations with Japan and considering the country an important partner. 

Thịnh said that the forum is an opportunity for businesses to meet and seek partnerships, while being updated on policies related to business and investment in the two countries. 

Việt Nam will create optimal conditions for Japanese enterprises in Việt Nam, contributing to strengthening bilateral relations, she stated. 

In his welcome speech, President of the Japan Chamber of Commerce (JCC+) and Industry Akio Mimura said that the Việt Nam-Japan relationship is thriving. 

More than 1,600 Japanese enterprises operate in Việt Nam, he noted, adding that 740,000 Japanese tourists visited Việt Nam in 2016. 

According to Mimura, the JCCI has sent many delegations to Việt Nam for fact-finding tours. He noted that Vietnamese officials demonstrated the Government’s encouragement for Japanese businesses and hopes for a stronger Việt Nam-Japan economic partnership. 

Thái Hương, CEO of TH Group, said her group sees big opportunities in Japan, as Japan’s demand for safe farm produce is rising and Japanese customers like tropical agriculture products. 

However, she said that Japan’s strict regulations on food safety pose a challenge for Vietnamese firm

Meeting the Emperor

Vice President Thịnh on the same day paid a courtesy visit to Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko and met with Crown Prince Naruhito.

Meeting Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, Thịnh described the first State visit by the royal couple to Việt Nam in February an important milestone and a symbol of the friendship and co-operation between the two countries.

The successful visit helped further bolster the Việt Nam-Japan extensive strategic partnership across fields, especially in culture and people-to-people exchange, and tourism links, she stressed.

Expressing his joy to meet Vice President Thịnh again, Emperor Akihito affirmed his support for the bilateral ties and pledged to make more contributions to it. He hoped the ties will reach new heights in the future.

At the meeting with Crown Prince Naruhito, Vice President Thịnh said she hopes the Japanese Royal Family and the crown prince in particular will continue supporting the strengthening and deepening of the friendship and co-operation between the nations. — VNS