At the meeting, PM Phuc expressed his delight at the comprehensive and practical development of the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership. The government and people of Vietnam welcome Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s participation in important activities of the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week, he said.

The PM stressed that Japan is currently the biggest provider of official development assistance (ODA), the second largest foreign investor and the fourth largest trade partner of Vietnam.

After signing the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA), the two nations are coordinating closely in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement and other deals, he added.

The PM expected that Vietnam and Japan would further foster bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, investment and ODA.

He asked the Japanese side to soon license the import of Vietnamese fresh fruits, firstly lychee and longan, as per stated in a joint statement issued in June 2017, and support Vietnam in implementing its industrialisation strategy and developing the auto industry.

PM Phuc told his guest that he had directed the Ministry of Industry and Trade and other agencies to tackle hindrances to Vietnam – Japan projects on energy and trade centre development.

For his part, Motegi stressed that Japan values relations with Vietnam and wants to expand cooperation to other fields.

He congratulated Vietnam on its successful hosting of the APEC events, and believed that the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Da Nang will be also a success.

The Japanese minister offered his sympathy to the Vietnamese people over great losses in human and assets in recent floods and natural disasters and hoped that under the Government’s direction, affected people will soon overcome difficulties and stabilise their lives.

Source: vov.vn