Mekong reasserts bonds with Japan

A Japanese delegation attended the Vietnam-Japan Exchange Programme last year

The fifth Vietnam-Japan Cultural and Trade Exchange Programme, or the Vietnam-Japan Festival for short, is an annual event held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Can Tho (VCCI Can Tho) since 2015.

After four successful editions with participation of more than 600,000 visitors, the festival has become an important international event in the region, attracting the attention of local authorities, the business community, and the public.

Particularly, the event has promoted Japanese investment into the Mekong Delta and enhanced trading between the region and Japan. So far, many trade deals have been signed between the two sides.

In the context of globalisation and international integration, cultural diplomacy is an important bridge, not only strengthening co-operation and friendship but also contributing to attracting investment and promoting the image of Vietnam to international friends.

The festival is also an opportunity to promote products and services, as well as introduce the beauty of the culture and people of the region to the Japanese people.

The art programme at the event will take place continuously over four days with many interesting performances. In addition, visitors will have chance to better understand the cuisine through typical dishes.

The highlight of the festival is the Japan-Mekong Business Forum 2019, which will take place on November 30 with participation of leaders from government agencies, cities and provinces in the Mekong Delta, representatives of foreign affairs agencies, and Japanese partners in Vietnam, along with 300 Japanese entrepreneurs. This event will house the largest number of Japanese businessmen in the Mekong Delta region ever.

According to the organiser, the forum will have different seminars and sessions, including an introduction on the Mekong Delta for investors, trends of Japanese businesses abroad and in Vietnam, and illustrating the attraction of the Mekong Delta to Japanese investors.

“The Mekong Delta is a dynamic economic region and is gradually improving infrastructure, creating the perfect investment environment and an ideal destination for partners,” said Nguyen Phuong Lam, director of VCCI Can Tho.

According to Lam, in trade and investment attraction, the Mekong Delta identifies Japan as an important partner in the development of high-tech agriculture and modern industry.

“VCCI Can Tho and the city have been organising many practical activities to meet Japanese investors’ demand of learning about the investment environment; introducing projects and industrial parks calling for investment to create favourable conditions; and attracting a Japanese investment wave to the Mekong Delta in general and Can Tho in particular,” Lam said. “After carrying out the first successful direct flight from Japan to Can Tho in 2018, this year there will be a ­charter flight taking Japanese entrepreneurs and visitors from Narita Airport in Tokyo to Can Tho to join the ­festival.”

Meanwhile, Le Quang Manh, Chairman of Can Tho People’s Committee, stated that Japan is one of the city’s important strategic partners in investment and business co-operation, contributing to the local socio-economic development. “In order to enhance co-operation with Japan, our city has constantly improved the local infrastructure network and carried out practical activities to welcome investors,” he said. “We have also studied and adjusted mechanisms and policies to promote direct investment from Japan. Besides this, local authorities have also actively been co-operating with the business community so as to support and guide investors to carry out related administrative procedures.”