Deputy PM Le Minh Khai meets Japanese PM Kishida Fumio

Deputy Prime Minister Le affirmed Viet Nam consistently regards Japan as an important and long-term partner.

Le expressed his wish that the two nations will further work together to effectively implement their recently established comprehensive strategic partnership as well as important agreements and common perceptions of the two countries' Prime Ministers.

He took the occasion to convey Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's invitation for his Japanese counterpart to visit Viet Nam at the earliest opportunity.

Kishida appreciated Viet Nam's participation and contribution to the 29th Future of Asia Forum, affirming his commitment to further promote the substantive and effective development of the bilateral partnership across all fields in the time to come.

Earlier the same day, the Deputy Prime Minister received President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Tanaka Akihiko, during which the former proposed Japan consider providing new ODA loans to Viet Nam with more favorable lending conditions and simplified procedures to help the Southeast Asian country carry out its large-scale strategic infrastructure development projects.

Le also suggested Japan provide ODA for projects in digital transformation, green transition and urban railway in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the continued implementation of those in high-quality human resources training and such new areas as green transition, among others.

Tanaka affirmed that JICA wishes to further the joint work in quality infrastructure projects in line with Viet Nam's needs and legal regulations.

He pledged to continue with joint projects in human resources training, digital transformation, green transition, semiconductors, and innovation./.