President Okuda told Ho Chi Minh City Mayor Le Thanh Hai at a reception on March 2 that Japanese enterprises in Vietnam in general and in HCM City in particular have a strong belief in Vietnam's efforts in social stabilisation and investment environment improvement.

Mr Okuda believed that Vietnam would become a promising regional investment destination for Japan. He also spoke highly of Vietnam's young human resources, believing that Vietnam will attract more international investors, including Japanese investors, due to its rich human resources and that Vietnam and Japan can co-operate in human resource development to boost bilateral relations.

He hoped that Vietnam will successfully organise the upcoming APEC Summit and fulfill its process of joining the World Trade Organisation. He believed that Vietnam's position in the region and in the world will be promoted.

Chairman Le Thanh Hai spoke highly of the visit and said he believed that with support of President Hiroshi, cooperation between Japanese and Vietnamese enterprises in economics and trade will be facilitated.

Mr Hai also affirmed that Japanese enterprises operating in HCM City have contributed considerably to the city's economic development, as well as Vietnam-Japan relations.

He thanked the Japanese Government for its support to Vietnam through granting official development assistance (ODA) projects, which brought benefits to the city's infrastructure development.

Chairman Hai affirmed that HCM City, with its competence and potential, will facilitate Japanese high-tech investment.

During their stay in HCM City, the Japanese delegation also paid a visit to the Phu My Power Plant and met with the Japanese business community in the city.
The delegation’s five-day visit to Vietnam started from February 27.