Thanh Hoa province delegation participated in many contents within the framework of the Vietnam - Japan Local Cooperation Forum

Within the framework of the Vietnam - Japan Local Cooperation Forum, on the afternoon of November 25, the Thanh Hoa province delegation led by Mr. Cao Van Cuong, Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, continued to attend thematic sessions and meetings.

Overview of the thematic session: "Resonating local strengths, building a cycle of prosperity: Trade and investment - High-quality agriculture - Human resources".

Speaking at the thematic session "Resonating local strengths, building a cycle of prosperity: Trade and investment - High-quality agriculture - Human resources", Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Cao Van Cuong introduced the position and development potential of Thanh Hoa - a land rich in historical traditions, converging diverse terrain advantages and a comprehensive economic ecosystem from the mountains, plains to the coast.

With a synchronous transportation system including roads, railways, airports and Nghi Son deep-water port, Thanh Hoa is considered a strategic location of the North Central region and an attractive destination for international investors, especially Japan.

Delegates attending the thematic session.

To date, Thanh Hoa province has attracted 180 FDI projects with a total capital of over 15.6 billion USD, of which the capital directly invested and joint ventured by Japanese investors accounts for 82.5%.

Many large-scale Japanese projects have become strong growth drivers for Thanh Hoa such as: Nghi Son Petrochemical Refinery, Nghi Son Cement, Nghi Son 2 BOT Thermal Power Plant... And recently, two new projects: Thang Long Thanh Hoa Industrial Park and Aeon Mall Commercial Center.

Vice Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee Cao Van Cuong discussed the thematic session again.

According to Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Cao Van Cuong, Thanh Hoa has achieved outstanding results in attracting Japanese investment thanks to three factors: strategic location and abundant industrial land fund; open investment environment with PCI, PAR INDEX, PAPI in the good group; the spirit of accompanying the government with businesses, quickly resolving problems, transparent procedures, building solid trust for investors.

However, Thanh Hoa still faces challenges in supporting infrastructure and a shortage of highly skilled human resources - necessary factors to receive more supporting industry projects, a strong field of Japanese enterprises.

From that reality, Thanh Hoa province has drawn three important lessons and will continue to pursue them, which are: Continuing to innovate the mindset of attracting FDI in a selective direction; prioritizing the completion of key infrastructure and human resources; regularly dialogue, listen and implement transparent and consistent policies with investors.

Regarding development orientation in the context of implementing the North Central and Central Coastal Region Planning, Thanh Hoa province aims to become a modern industrial province by 2030 and a model development province by 2045.

To achieve this goal, Thanh Hoa focuses on strongly improving the investment environment; developing the private economy into an important driving force; innovating investment promotion and selectively attracting FDI; prioritizing processing and manufacturing industries, renewable energy; strengthening regional connectivity and expanding international cooperation.

Vice Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee Cao Van Cuong informed the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam about the results of socio-economic development and proposed cooperation orientation.

Immediately after the thematic session, the Thanh Hoa province delegation had a working session with the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam led by Mr. Ito Naoki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan in Vietnam, and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) led by Mr. Osaka Haruhiko.

At the meetings, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Cao Van Cuong informed about the general socio-economic development results of Thanh Hoa in the 2021-2025 period, emphasizing the average GRDP growth rate of 10.24%, economic scale of 13.57 billion USD by 2025 - the highest in the North Central region.

Thanh Hoa province hopes that the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam and JETRO will continue to pay attention to Thanh Hoa's investment attraction activities, especially introducing secondary investors to the Western Thanh Hoa Industrial Park invested by Japan's Sumitomo Group; and at the same time supporting the transfer of green and clean production technology to businesses in Thanh Hoa.

In particular, the province proposed that the Embassy and JETRO support the promotion of the Thanh Hoa Investment Promotion Conference 2026, introduce suitable businesses, and accompany in trade promotion, tourism and people-to-people exchange activities.

In addition to investment cooperation, Thanh Hoa province proposed expanding cultural and tourism cooperation after the success of the event "Connecting culture through folk tales and music" organized by the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam in Thanh Hoa in May 2025.

Mr. Ito Naoki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam, spoke at the working session with Thanh Hoa province.

Thanh Hoa province also wishes to coordinate in implementing youth exchange programs, promoting tourism products, and expanding the Japanese tourist market - the third largest group of visitors in Thanh Hoa with more than 137,000 arrivals in 2024.

In addition, education - training, science - technology, agricultural technology transfer and carbon credit cooperation are also areas that the two sides agreed to prioritize in the coming period.

The Embassy of Japan in Vietnam highly appreciated Thanh Hoa's efforts to improve the investment environment, develop synchronous infrastructure and maintain open dialogue.

The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination in work, especially large-scale investment promotion activities that Thanh Hoa plans to organize in 2026 as well as working trips of high-ranking leaders.

Thanh Hoa province delegation presented gifts to the Embassy of Japan.

Currently, Sumitomo Group is investing in a model, high-tech industrial park in Thanh Hoa. Mr. Ito Naoki suggested that Thanh Hoa province continue to create the most favorable conditions for investors to implement the project and operate stably and effectively.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Cao Van Cuong presented OCOP products of Thanh Hoa province to Mr. Osaka Haruhiko, Chief Representative of JETRO.

At the meeting with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Cao Van Cuong emphasized the role of JETRO in supporting Japanese enterprises to learn about the market, being an important bridge for Vietnamese localities in attracting high-quality investment.

The province proposed that JETRO coordinate more deeply in the field of investment promotion, especially at the 2026 Investment Promotion Conference and specialized seminars introducing investment opportunities in Nghi Son Economic Zone and Industrial Parks of Thanh Hoa province.

Along with that, one of the focuses that Thanh Hoa sent to JETRO is the proposal for cooperation in human resource training. The province hopes that JETRO will support the connection between vocational schools, colleges and universities of both sides to build training programs according to Japanese standards; develop a high-tech workforce in supporting industries, electricity - electronics, mechanics, nursing, agriculture and high-tech industry.

Minh Hang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/doan-cong-tac-tinh-thanh-hoa-tham-gia-nhieu-noi-dung-trong-khuon-kho-dien-dan-hop-tac-dia-phuong-viet-nhat-269825.htm