The Mekong-Japan Business Forum 2019  (Photo: VOV)

Le Quang Manh, Chairman of Can Tho city People’s Committee, told the forum that Japan is always one of Vietnam’s top investors with 4,300 projects currently worth 59 billion USD of registered capital. However, he added, Japanese investment in the Mekong Delta and Can Tho city, in particular, has not fully tapped regional potential. Improvement in key regional infrastructure and preferential policy of each locality will attract greater Japanese investment in the Mekong Delta, according to Mr. Manh.

“We have inaugurated an office to provide Japanese investors with necessary information of the regional market and help them address difficulties. We are building the Hung Phu industrial park for only Japanese investors,” Mr. Manh said.

Vu Tien Loc, President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the Mekong Region has the highest Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) across Vietnam. He added that cooperation in human resource development and innovations are key to regional growth.

“Japan’s business style, models, and technology are suitable to the Mekong Delta regional development strategy, which advocates a smart, environment-friendly economy towards sustainable development. The Mekong Delta secures a key position in the cooperation strategy between Vietnam and Japan,” Mr. Loc said.

Can Tho city leaders have granted an investment certificate to a Japanese firm on a processing and producing spices and food material project worth 8 million USD.