At a reception for visiting Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshiko Abe on January 18, Phong stressed that Japan has significantly contributed to HCM City’s socio-economic achievements.
HCM City welcomes Japanese enterprises and is willing to create optimal conditions for them to study the market and run businesses in the locality for a long term, he said.
Mentioning the metro line No. 1 linking Ben Thanh in district 1 to Suoi Tien Theme Park in district 9, the official told his guest that the city will provide budget-sourced funding for contractors in advance to speed up the progress.
Phong called on Japan to continue implementing cooperation projects, including those supporting visa grant to Vietnamese labourers and tourists, stepping up collaboration in Japanese language teaching and vocational training, and ensuring a favourable environment for Vietnamese guest workers.
For her part, Toshiko Abe noted with pleasure fruitful developments of the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership, especially coordination between the two countries in organising activities marking the 45th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties last year.
Japan wishes to partner with Vietnam to facilitate the connectivity between Japanese and Vietnamese firms, including those from HCM City, she said.
