Society
Work starts on 7-km segment of HCM City-Thủ Dầu Một-Chơn Thành expressway
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| Kawaue Junichi, the Japanese consul in HCM City, and Lê Bá Thính, director of the Phú Yên Province Traditional Medicine Hospital, sign an agreement for a grant for buying medical equipment. — Photo Thu Hằng |
Viet Nam News
HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc yesterday had a phone call with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.
The two leaders expressed their delight at the growth of Việt Nam – Japan relations in 2017. They highlighted exchanges of the two countries’ high-ranking leaders, including the first ever State visit to Viet Nam by the Japanese Emperor and Empress and the trips made by both PMs.
Abe thanked Phúc for his warm reception in Hội An as part of his latest Vietnamese trip to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in November in Đà Nẵng. He spoke highly of Việt Nam’s hosting of the event.
The two PMs agreed to continue with close co-ordination in implementing agreements secured by Vietnamese and Japanese leaders, which cover the exchange of high-ranking delegations, security-defence co-operation, promotion of Japanese investment in Việt Nam, and celebrations of the 45th year of diplomatic ties in 2018.
They also discussed international and regional issues of shared concern.
PM Phúc agreed with his Japanese counterpart’s view that the two sides should work to push for the early conclusion of negotiation and signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) deal.
Grant assistance
The Japanese consulate in HCM City yesterday agreed to provide grants worth more than US$397,000 for five projects to develop grassroots health care and education in various parts of the country.
Phú Yên Province Traditional Medicine Hospital, Mỹ Xuyên District General Hospital in Sóc Trăng Province and Cờ Đỏ District Health Centre in Cần Thơ City will get grants to buy equipment.
Money will also be provided to Hậu Mỹ Bắc A Health Station in Tiền Giang Province’s Cái Bè District to buy a new ambulance and to Vĩnh Bình Primary School in Long An Province to build new classrooms.
The Japanese Government’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) provides non-refundable financial assistance to NGOs, hospitals, primary schools, and other non-profits for development programmes.
Between 1995 and 2016 the GGP programme gave grants worth $13.87 million to 174 projects in education, health, water and sanitation and agricultural development in 26 southern cities and provinces. — VNS
