The PM made this remark when receiving a delegation from the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren) in Hanoi on December 4.

Vietnam will work together with Japan to further develop bilateral cooperation on the economy and trade, bringing practical benefits and raising the positions of the two counties in the international arena, the PM told Keidanren Chairman Mitarai Fujio.

For his part, Mr Fujio thanked the PM for hosting his delegation and said that Keidaren is eager to meet Vietnamese leaders and entrepreneurs to share experiences in coping with the economic slowdown and discuss strategies for economic development in Asia.

He reaffirmed the Japanese Government’s consistent stand that values relations with East Asian countries. Keidanren pins great hopes on Vietnam’s economic development and commits to actively engage in the economic, trade and investment cooperation programs which have been signed by the two governments, said the Chairman.

The same day, Mr Fujio was also received by State President Nguyen Minh Triet who highly valued Vietnam’s strategic partnership with Japan.

The Vietnamese State leader thanked Nippon Keidanren for giving priority to Vietnam in the past, saying that it has made an important contribution to boosting economic cooperation between the two countries.

He also applauded proactive efforts by Nippon Keidanren’s Japan-Vietnam Economic Committee, especially in accelerating the implementation of the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative, which aims to improve the investment and business environment in Vietnam and boost the competitiveness of its businesses.

President Triet also expressed his wish that Nippon Keidanren will continue to encourage Japanese enterprises to invest in Vietnam and help the country in technology transfer and human resources training.