- Establishing diplomatic relations in September 1973, the relationship between Vietnam and Japan has developed increasingly well, comprehensively, and substantially. Japan is identified as a strategic investor and reliable partner of Vietnam in general and Can Tho City in particular. In the past, Japanese partners have paid attention to investing in construction, with many important projects and works bringing economic-social effectiveness not only for Can Tho but also for neighboring localities. These include works such as Can Tho Bridge (completed in 2010) and more recently the "Laboratory Research Complex" and "High-Tech Building" projects, part of the "Infrastructure Development" component of the "Upgrading of Can Tho University" project using Japanese ODA loans, helping meet the training needs of human resources not only for Can Tho City but also for the Mekong Delta region.

- In terms of foreign direct investment, Japan ranks 1st out of 22 countries and territories in terms of registered capital of FDI projects in Can Tho City with 8 projects totaling around US$1.35 billion in registered capital. Investment areas include electricity generation, food processing, aquaculture, baseball glove production), information technology, and services. In terms of trade cooperation, in 2022, the export turnover of goods from Can Tho to Japan was US$207.18 million; the import turnover was US$26.48 million. In the first 9 months of 2023, the export turnover of goods to Japan was US$134.14 million; the import turnover was US$18.97 million. Main export items include seafood, garments, agricultural products, and processed agricultural products, steel and steel products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, feathers. Main import items include pharmaceutical raw materials, fabrics, machinery, and equipment...

* In the past time, what aspects and fields specifically demonstrate the close relationship between Can Tho City and its Japanese partners, sir?

- To carry out activities to promote investment attraction for Japanese partners, Can Tho City established the Japan Desk Can Tho Office. This includes inviting some Japanese members to provide support, consult on procedures, and provide information to potential Japanese investors and businesses interested in learning about the investment environment in Can Tho City. Many investment promotion conferences have been organized in Can Tho City and Japan to promote the investment environment, introducing investment projects that the city is calling for to potential Japanese investors.

The relationship between Can Tho City and Japan is also affirmed through non-governmental foreign aid projects originating from Japan that have been completed and are being implemented in the locality in areas such as environment, health, culture, education and training, rural road infrastructure investment... From 2015-2023, Can Tho City received 12 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteers working in 7 agencies and units in areas such as health, sports, tourism promotion, investment promotion, agriculture...

Many international cooperation documents have been signed between Can Tho City, represented by the People's Committee, and provinces of Japan such as Hyogo, Okayama, and Nasushiobara in Tochigi prefecture. Cooperation is also reflected in memorandums of cooperation between units, departments, and schools in the city and organizations in Japan in areas such as environment, land information management, health cooperation, education, and career guidance for students and students interested in studying and working in Japan after graduation... Cultural and people-to-people diplomacy exchanges are also emphasized: Since 2018, the Can Tho City People's Friendship Union and the Can Tho City Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association have signed a memorandum of understanding on people-to-people diplomacy cooperation with 6 Japanese partners. Each year, partner delegations are exchanged for major events in the city or during visits to the partner country.

* As part of the accompanying visit of the Prime Minister and the high-level Vietnamese delegation to Japan this time, Can Tho City signed an MOU with AeonMall Group. What expectations do you have from this cooperation relationship?

- The cooperation between AeonMall and Can Tho City is extremely essential. Can Tho City covers a natural area of over 1,400 km2, with a population of nearly 1.3 million, located in the central position of the Mekong Delta (an area of over 40,000 km2, a population of nearly 18 million). This is considered a dynamic and potential market for international trade groups, and foreign investors. AeonMall is one of the largest retail groups in Asia, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The group was established in 1989 and currently has over 200 shopping malls in 13 countries and territories. AeonMall began operating in Vietnam in 2014, by now, the group has 5 shopping malls in Vietnam.

Mr. Tran Viet Truong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City. Photo: Chi Xinh

AeonMall's decision to invest in Can Tho City will bring positive impacts through job creation, investment attraction, development of trade, services and tourism sectors... contributing to promoting the socio-economic development of Can Tho City and the Mekong Delta. The AeonMall shopping center will bring a modern, convenient, and high-quality living space for shopping, entertainment, and recreation to meet the increasing needs of the people of Can Tho City and the Mekong Delta. AeonMall's investment in Can Tho City will also help enhance the position of Can Tho City on the economic map of the Asia-Pacific region.

* In the coming time, Can Tho City will continue to invite and expand cooperation potential with Japan in which fields, Sir?

-With the cooperation foundation with Japan established over the past time, the potential and strengths of both sides, Can Tho City is oriented to promote investment cooperation with Japanese partners in supporting industries, processing technology, manufacturing technology, high technology, smart technology, logistics... Specifically, implementing investment in the Can Tho City Concentrated Information Technology Park; studying the project of Logistics Center II of the Mekong Delta economic sub-region in Can Tho City; studying investment in production, processing, export service supply projects for agricultural products at the Hub for linking, producing, processing and consuming agricultural products of the Mekong Delta in Can Tho after the Prime Minister approves the Project to establish the Center.

Mr. Tran Viet Truong, Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee (front row, right) and representatives of AeonMall Group presented a memorandum of cooperation at the Vietnam - Japan Economic Forum on December 16. Photo: Doan Bac

The city also hopes to invite Japanese partners to invest in developing shopping malls; combining with developing raw material areas, supporting suppliers to improve the quality and value of products, and connecting producers and distributors; contributing to exploiting Can Tho City's strengths. In the industrial field, the city invites potential Japanese investors to study implementing investment projects in the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Industrial Park in Hung Phu 1 Industrial Park, Cai Rang District; invites Japanese partners to Vinh Thanh Industrial Park (Phase 1) with some industries such as biotechnology, information technology, electronics; clean energy, renewable energy, smart energy; processing industry serving agriculture meeting international standards; agricultural machinery, industrial equipment, electrical equipment; medical equipment, pharmaceuticals; functional foods, seasonings.

Currently, there is no official development assistance (ODA) project with Japanese investment capital under Can Tho City's management. Therefore, the city is actively promoting calls for preferential loans from the Japanese Government, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for 2 projects: the Can Tho Cardiovascular Hospital (200 beds) and the Mekong Delta Transport Network Development Project adapting to Climate Change in Can Tho City. At the same time, we hope to receive JICA volunteers in the fields of cooperation and international development to effectively connect relationships with localities and Japanese partners to cooperate in labor, employment, and vocational education and training.

Can Tho City always considers Japan a strategic investor, a reliable partner, and a focal point to tighten comprehensive cooperative development in all fields. The city is committed to always accompanying and supporting AeonMall and other Japanese investors throughout the process of exploring the investment environment, accessing investment procedures as well as throughout the construction and operation of projects. The development of investors will create momentum for Can Tho City to develop and be worthy of its position as the central city of the Mekong Delta.

Thank you!