Hanoi (VNA) - A workshop was held in Tokyo on October 22 to discuss measuresto promote economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.  

Heldby the Department of Trade Promotion (DTP) under the Ministry of Industry andTrade and the Japan-ASEAN centre, the event attracted representatives from morethan 100 Japanese and 25 Vietnamese enterprises operating in handicrafts, mechanics,plastic, home furniture and gifts.

Speaking at the workshop, Doan Thi Thu Thuy, Deputy General Director of the DTPsaid Vietnamese goods are present in most markets around the world, and exportsare shifting from raw materials to products with higher value such aselectronics and smart phones.

Notably,Vietnam's agriculture has witnessed a long period of stable growth with an averageexpansion of 4.4 percent in the last decade, with the export value ofVietnamese fruits surpassing those of rice and crude oil.

Assessing Vietnam’s advantages, Thuy said the country has a young and skilled workforceand a stable political situation, as well as rich natural resources, favourablegeographic location, active international integration, an impressive growthrate and an improved legal system.

These factors have helped Vietnam attract more foreign investment, she said, notingthat in the first nine months of 2018, as much as 25.37 billion USD of foreigncapital was poured into Vietnam, mainly concentrated in manufacturing andretail.

Trade Counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy inJapan Ta Duc Minh highlighted the fruitful development of Vietnam - Japanrelations, especially in economic cooperation, over the last 45 years.

Japan is the fourth largest trading partner of Vietnam and the largest investorin the Southeast Asian nation. The two countries are also participating invarious economic cooperation deals such as the Comprehensive andProgressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partner (RCEP).

The workshop offered a good chance for Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises to enhancecollaboration on the basis of mutual benefits, contributing to promoting trade tiesbetween the two nations.

According to Yusuke Ujike, Chairman of the ALLIED Group - a Japanesedistributor of food - said since 2017, his firm has imported Vietnamesevegetables to distribute in Japan.

Vietnamhas a good source of raw materials and a large labour force, he said.

Tran Thanh Phong, Director of Sesan Furniture Co., Ltd of Vietnam said Japan isa "hard" market, adding that Vietnamese firms should cautiouslyapproach the market.-VNA