This seminar is within the framework of the Vietnam - Japan cultural and trade exchange program in 2023 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of both nations' diplomatic ties.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Nguyen Van Hong said Japan remains Vietnam's top economic partner and the largest ODA provider of Vietnam. Specifically, Japan has over 5,000 valid projects in Vietnam with a total investment capital of almost US$70 billion, placing them in the third position out of 141 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Can Tho is now home to six Japanese-invested projects worth 1.35 billion USD, helping Japan rank first in the city in terms of registered capital. The city's export value to Japan reached 40.6 million USD in the first four months of this year, with export staples mostly being seafood, apparel, farm produce, steel and steel products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, feathers, and others, while its import turnover was estimated at 9.8 million USD, with key products being pharmaceutical raw materials, fabrics, leather, machinery, and equipment.

At the seminar.

Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Nguyen Van Hong stressed that Japan has always been a trustworthy, important, and long-term strategic partner. He hoped that the seminar would connect businesses from the two sides and expand cooperation in the upcoming time. Can Tho City authorities will create favorable conditions for Japanese investors to work in the city and turn Can Tho City into an attractive, safe investment destination.

Chief Representative of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Ho Chi Minh City Nobuyuki Matsumoto said Japan and Can Tho City have a long history of exchange and cooperation. She believed that the seminar will attract more and more Japanese enterprises to invest in Can Tho City in the coming time. Specifically, several Japanese firms have invested in food processing in Can Tho as the city has abundant natural resources in agriculture and aquaculture from the Mekong River. Moreover, Can Tho now boasts seven universities and serves as a major human resources training center in the Mekong Delta, making it attractive for enterprises. The city's workforce, particularly in the field of information technology, is highly sought after for skills in digital transformation, automation, smart factories, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering.

Nobuyuki Matsumoto hoped that with the completion of expressways in the future, the transportation of goods from Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City, the largest market, would become easier.

Vice Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Nguyen Van Hong and Director of Can Tho Trade, Investment Promotion and Exhibition Center Nguyen Thi Kieu Duyen, presented gifts to Japanese delegates participating in the workshop.

The seminar on Investment and Trade Promotion between Japanese partners and the Mekong Delta City of Can Tho introduced the potential, strengths, and investment cooperation opportunities in Can Tho City in such fields as supporting industry, processing and manufacturing industry, hi-tech, and logistics. Moreover, the seminar also introduced the city's key projects and spheres calling for Japanese investment.