Thanh Hoa attends Vietnam - Japan Local Cooperation Forum

On the morning of November 25, in Quang Ninh, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the Vietnam - Japan Local Cooperation Forum with the theme "Accompanying Comprehensive Development - Creating a Sustainable Future".

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates attending the Vietnam - Japan Local Cooperation Forum.

The delegation of Thanh Hoa province attending the conference was led by Mr. Cao Van Cuong, member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. Also attending were representatives of departments, branches, the Management Board of Nghi Son Economic Zone and the province's industrial parks.

Comrade Cao Van Cuong, Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee attended the forum.

This is the first time the forum has been held with the full participation of 34 provinces and cities of Vietnam after completing the arrangement and reorganization of provincial-level administrative units.

On the Japanese side, there were leaders and representatives from 18 localities, including hundreds of businesses and investors interested in learning about investment opportunities in Vietnam.

Representatives of departments, branches and enterprises of Thanh Hoa province attended the forum.

In his message to the forum, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae sent his most sincere congratulations to the first Vietnam - Japan Local Cooperation Forum, which was solemnly held for the first time, and hoped that through this forum, the cooperation between Japan and Vietnam will become increasingly deeper.

The Japanese Prime Minister welcomed the upgrading of the Japan-Vietnam relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023, as well as the growing cooperation in all areas such as people-to-people exchange, economy, culture, security, and local exchanges.

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae stated that Japan will continue to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the reform process to achieve higher economic growth; he believes that the experience and know-how that Japanese local governments have worked hard to cultivate over many years in areas such as regional revitalization, industrial promotion, tourism development and human resource training will become a strength for Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the Vietnam-Japan Local Cooperation Forum. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the forum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated the theme "Accompanying comprehensive development - Creating a sustainable future", considering this a strategic orientation that reflects the common desire of the two countries in building a relationship of "sincerity - affection - trust - substance - efficiency - mutual benefit".

Emphasizing that there is still a lot of room for cooperation, the Prime Minister suggested 6 major orientations for the two sides to focus on discussing. First of all, it is necessary to proactively exploit the complementary advantages between localities on the principle of "mutual benefit". Vietnam has a strong demand for capital, technology, and supporting industries, while Japan is facing the challenge of labor shortage. Each locality needs to identify 1-2 priority areas and propose at least 2-3 cooperation initiatives that can be implemented within 1-2 years.

The Prime Minister emphasized that enterprises and people must be the center, the subject and the goal of cooperation. Policies and incentive mechanisms must aim at practical benefits for enterprises, while people must enjoy the results in the spirit of “3 more”: better jobs, higher income, better skills and working conditions.

Along with that, promoting cultural and tourism exchanges must become the foundation for long-term cooperation. The Prime Minister suggested further promoting people-to-people exchanges, expanding festivals, tourism routes, flights, and strengthening connections with the younger generation.

The Prime Minister called for innovation and digital transformation to be considered as new growth drivers. The two sides can promote cooperation in digital technology, AI, smart cities, R&D, and startup incubators.

Within the framework of the forum, there will be more than 100 activities connecting and working between the parties. A local exhibition of Vietnam - Japan will also be held, with more than 40 booths displaying typical local products and an area for cultural exchange and experience between the two countries.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Cao Van Cuong proposed cooperation contents with Yamanashi province.

Within the framework of the first Vietnam - Japan Local Cooperation Forum, the Thanh Hoa province delegation attended a bilateral meeting with senior leaders of Yamanashi province.

At the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Cao Van Cuong sent his best wishes to the Yamanashi Provincial delegation and briefly introduced the potential and outstanding advantages of Thanh Hoa - one of the most dynamic growth centers in the country, possessing synchronous transport infrastructure, Nghi Son deep-water seaport, Tho Xuan airport, and a strongly developing industrial - urban - service ecosystem.

Comrade Cao Van Cuong also emphasized: Japan is currently the investor with the largest registered capital in Thanh Hoa, with many projects becoming an important driving force for the economic growth of the province and of Vietnam. The Thang Long Thanh Hoa Industrial Park project implemented by Sumitomo Group is preparing to start construction in early 2026, opening up great opportunities to attract manufacturing and high-tech industrial enterprises from Japanese localities, including Yamanashi.

Appreciating high-quality agricultural products and agricultural processing products of the Fuji Mountain tourism brand, Vice Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee Cao Van Cuong emphasized: Thanh Hoa is especially interested in cooperation in areas where both sides have complementary strengths: supporting industry, high-tech agriculture, deep processing of agricultural products, tourism, education - training and technology transfer.

Thanh Hoa province proposed that Yamanashi province coordinate in arranging the working program during the province's business trip to Japan scheduled for 2026; at the same time, respectfully invite leaders of Yamanashi province to visit Thanh Hoa, attend cultural - trade events and connect businesses of both sides, especially attend the Thanh Hoa Investment Promotion Conference in 2026.

Thanh Hoa province hopes that the two provinces will sign an official cooperation document to create a long-term cooperation framework. The province also asked Yamanashi to support the connection of agricultural processing technology, increasing the added value of Thanh Hoa's export products.

Representatives of Yamanashi province agreed with the content of the cooperation proposal of Thanh Hoa province.

The Yamanashi side highly appreciated Thanh Hoa's industrial growth rate, FDI attraction and large agricultural scale; at the same time, invited Thanh Hoa to attend specialized conferences on energy and agriculture organized by Yamanashi province.

The Yamanashi side agreed to continue exchanging and connecting cooperation opportunities in suitable fields and discuss and finalize steps towards signing an official cooperation agreement.

Booth displaying Thanh Hoa province products at the event.

On the sidelines of the forum, the exhibition area displayed more than 40 booths of localities of the two countries, including Thanh Hoa province, introducing to delegates and visitors typical products, OCOP products... creating a strong impression of the potential, identity and cooperation opportunities of the province.

Minh Hang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/thanh-hoa-tham-du-dien-dan-hop-tac-dia-phuong-viet-nhat-269802.htm