PM: Japan plays important role in Mekong countries’ development process

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc

The Vietnamese Government chief told Japanese press ahead of his tour to Japan to attend the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit.

He also said the Mekong countries, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam have gained major socio-economic achievements over the past years thanks to their efforts to boost economic reforms and international integration, becoming one of the fastest growing regions in the world.

Mekong countries and Japan have deployed a number of both bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms across fields from politics, economy to environment and tourism.

Hundreds of multi-billion dollar projects have helped the Mekong countries to advance the development of infrastructure, industries and human resource, improve business climate, protect the environment, adapt to climate change, and narrow development gap.

Japan is now one of the biggest trade and investment partners and the top provider of official development assistance of the Mekong countries.

PM Phuc said the long-lasting and effective cooperation between the two sides have helped promote the potential and strengths of each of the Mekong economies, contributing to sustainable and inclusive growth in the Mekong sub-region.

He expresses his wish Japan would continue further promoting its role as a partner for “high-quality development” in the region, especially in technological and financial domains.

Both sides should give high priority to strengthen cooperation in the three pillars that have been agreed, including transport infrastructure-energy, soft infrastructure and institutional connectivity-trade and investment facilitation, and people-to-people connectivity, said PM Phuc.

The two sides should also focus on realizing the joint vision on green Mekong through programs and projects on sustainable management and use of Mekong water resources, smart agricultural development, and climate change adaptation.

PM Phuc expressed his belief that the upcoming summit will usher in a new chapter and create fresh impetus for the trusted, effective and long-lasting bilateral cooperation between the Mekong countries and Japan.

The summit is also expected to provide an opportunity for the Mekong countries and Japan to share development experience and work out new cooperation orientations for all the related countries./.

By Quang Minh