President Nguyen Minh Triet receives Japan–Viet Nam Culture Association general secretary Tsutsui Toyoharu.

The president, who was receiving Japan – Viet Nam Culture Association general secretary Tsutsui Toyoharu, said the organisation’s contribution to fostering bilateral ties was highly valued.

The association is jointly organising the Japan Sakura Festival in Ha Noi.

The president acknowledged that Japan had built a developed economy despite a severe shortage of natural resources and had shared its invaluable experience with Viet Nam.

The president also asked Toyoharu, who is chairman and chief executive officer of Japan’s Capital Partners company, to encourage more Japanese small-to-medium companies to enter the Viet Nam market.

The president’s guest affirmed he would further work to boost culture exchanges and long-term co-operation with Viet Nam.

He also pledged to seek Japanese partners to help train more young Vietnamese professionals.

Toyoharu said he believed the newly-signed Bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries would provide more opportunities for trade and investment.

It would also promote establishment of the strategic partnership targeted since 2006.

ODA figures

Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Viet Nam totalled US$700 million in 2008.

The figure made Viet Nam the largest recipient of Japan’s ODA in the last three years and was made available in the ODA White Book launched by Japan’s Ambassador to Viet Nam, Sakaba Mitsuo, yesterday.

Japan resumed ODA to Viet Nam in the forms of non-refundable aid, technical assistance and soft loans in 1992.

VietNamNet/VNS