Deputy PM hosts JICA Executive Senior Vice President
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang received Executive Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Yamada Junichi in Hanoi on March 26.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang (R) hosts JICA Executive Senior Vice President Yamada Junichi in Hanoi on March 26 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quangreceived Executive Senior Vice President of the JapanInternational Cooperation Agency (JICA) Yamada Junichi in Hanoi on March 26.
Welcoming the JICA official to Vietnam to attend the launch of the first phase of the Vietnam-Japan joint initiative in the new era,Deputy PM Quang briefed the guest on Vietnam’s national budget managementmechanisms as well as the country’s recent efforts to remove difficulties andobstacles to speed up the progress of projects using Japanese ODA.
For his part, Yamada said that recently, Japan's ODAdisbursement rate has increased significantly, with the amount of slowdisbursement at about 1.8 billion JPY (11.86 million USD), much lower than thatin previous years thanks to the drastic direction of the Vietnamese Government.
The JICA Executive Senior Vice President affirmed that theagency is ready to discuss with Vietnam about the implementation of 11infrastructure development projects in localities, including the considerationof the possibility for these projects to be bid domestically instead ofinternationally to shorten investment preparation time.
He suggested that Vietnam build a separate legal frameworkfor additional loans outside the medium-term budget plan from JICA as well asother donors such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
Lauding JICA’s recommendations, Deputy PM Quang proposedthat the two sides work together on the suitable interest rates and eachspecific project.
The two sides concurred to coordinate closely toremove difficulties and obstacles facing each project,including those related to tax rates for Japanese contractors implementing ODAprojects, thus speeding up the progress of delayed projects, especially the Cho Ray Hospital No.2 and the Vietnam-JapanUniversity.
Japan is currently Vietnam's largest ODA provider. Since 1992,Japan has provided Vietnam with over 2,700 billion JPY in ODA loans, along withnearly 100 billion JPY in non-refundable aid and nearly 180 billion JPY intechnical assistance. Japan's ODA accounts for over 30% of bilateraldevelopment aid that Vietnam has received. In 2023, Japan's total ODA capitalfor Vietnam reached more than 100 billion JPY, the highest level since 2017./.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Vietnam is stepping up activities and projects as part of its agricultural cooperation programmes with the Vietnam Agricultural Extension, JICA Deputy Chief Representative Kubo Yoshitomo has said.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a working breakfast with President of the International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC) of Japan Ken Matsuzawa and its members in Tokyo on December 18 on the occasion of his trip to the East Asian country to attend the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.
The 9th Japan Vietnam Festival, themed “Hold hands together - From now on”, was held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 9-10, starting a series of cultural, sport, trade and tourism activities between the two countries.
A delegation from the Finance Ministry led by Minister Ho Duc Phoc on March 11 had a working session with Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki and representatives from Japanese partners to promote bilateral financial cooperation.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang (R) hosts JICA Executive Senior Vice President Yamada Junichi in Hanoi on March 26 (Photo: VNA) 
