HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Believing Japan's quality infrastructure to be essential for achieving sustainable economic growth in Vietnam, the Government of Japan hosted the “Dialogue for Quality Infrastructure – Building Asia’s Future” at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center, the venue of Vietnam Expo in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) on Thursday, December 7, 2017. Attended by over one hundred participants, the event promoted active discussions on “Quality Infrastructure” needed for sustainable development in Vietnam and Japan’s role in this development.
In opening remarks on behalf of the Government of Japan, H.E. Mr. Junichi Kawaue, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City stated “Vietnam is taking a leadership role in ASEAN’s growth. To further pursue more sustainable and powerful growth, it is essential to provide an appropriate plan, funds, and technology for infrastructure development. The concept of ‘quality infrastructure’ is the guiding principle for such infrastructure development.” Consul General Kawaue also stated that the Japanese government and Japanese companies are already supporting infrastructure development in Vietnam, including HCMC’s MRT1, which contributes to the quality of life as well as economic growth.
Representing Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Le Van Khoa, Vice Chairman, Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee said HCMC strongly agrees with the concept of “Quality Infrastructure.” “We seek to develop this city as a model for the future. We must continuously play a leadership role for the economy and society,” said Mr. Ho.
Prior to discussions, Mr. Yasuharu Funabashi, Deputy General Manager for Strategic Project Office Industry Research Department of Mizuho Bank, made a speech to set the day's agenda. Mr. Funabashi presented insightful data on Vietnam’s current and future economic outlook, reminding participants that Vietnam has the fastest growing GDP in ASEAN, and expects to grow further in an export-driven economy fueled by foreign capital and industrialization. Given fiscal austerity measures announced last year, from a financial perspective, the time to propose “Quality Infrastructure” is now.
In the dialogue, Vietnamese and Japanese panelists debated the role of “Quality Infrastructure” in sustainable economic growth. Discussions touched on preferential infrastructure projects as drivers for economic development and the role of public and private investment in realizing Vietnam’s development plan. Mr. Nguyen Van Tam, Vice Director, Department of Transport, Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee discussed HCMC’s current situation regarding to infrastructure, including road and sewage disposal. While some plans have been approved to address these issues, “Quality Infrastructure” is greatly needed. Comprehensive access to financing is also vital for accelerating infrastructure improvements. However, there has been movement toward greater investment to address social issues, including traffic congestion, and plans for transforming HCMC into a Smart City were recently unveiled.
Mr. Dam Xuan Toan, Deputy General Director, CIENCO4 GROUP, shared his ODA experience with Japan, presenting his positive impression of quality, while emphasizing the need to “receive large benefits from Japan, in terms of human resource development.”
Representing the Government of Japan, Ms. Yuko Baba, Director, Trade Finance Division, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, contended, “It is important to have concrete ideas of ‘Quality Infrastructure.’ Defective infrastructure would significantly impact socioeconomic activity. To prevent this, well-planned development and execution, including adequate infrastructure operation and maintenance are needed. In that context, Japan will strongly support capacity building in ASEAN countries.”
Representatives for Japanese firms then shared their business experiences: Mr. Yuji Kobayashi, Chief Representative, Tokyo Gas HCMC Representative Office, said Tokyo Gas shares stable energy supply, emphasizing the company’s strengths in stability and optimizing high-quality service. Mr. Oh Dong Kun, Deputy General Manager, BECAMEX TOKYU Co., Ltd. and General Manager, Tokyu Corporation HCMC Representative Office, said rail operator Tokyu Corporation shares successful experiences in enhancing business to city development helping to increase passengers.
The moderator, Mr. Takashi Kawabata, Editor, NewsPicks Asia, and Chief Asia Economist, Uzabase Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., suggested many developing countries, including Vietnam, need both infrastructure development and economic growth, and that this requires large investments. He asked panelists to share their opinions on development methods, including the use of private fund and possible issues.
Mr. Nobusuke Takahashi, Chief Representative, Japan Bank for International Corporation (JBIC) stressed the importance of public-private cooperation, stating, “Infrastructure cannot be developed by the private sector alone. The public and private division of roles should be clarified. Especially in case of FDI, the host country is expected to guarantee currency exchanges.”
Concluding discussions, Ms. Baba stated, “Although quality infrastructure development with limited resources is challenging, public-private partnership may be the key in Vietnam, and it is important to build a successful model step by step. ‘Quality Infrastructure’ can change the stream of people, goods and money and lead to strong economic growth in the country. We are willing to contribute to ‘Quality Infrastructure’ development in Vietnam, both in terms of finance and know-how.”
Program
Opening Remarks by
Host
H.E. Mr. Junichi Kawaue, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi
Minh City
Speech by Guest of Honor
Mr. Tran Vinh Tuyen, Vice Chairman,
Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee
Agenda Setting
Mr. Yasuharu Funabashi, Deputy General
Manager, Strategic Project Office Industry Research Department, Mizuho
Bank
Dialogue (Panel Discussion)
“What's most important to
infrastructure development for strong economic growth in Vietnam?”
Panelists
Government of Japan
Representative:
- Ms. Yuko Baba, Director for Trade Promotion, Trade Promotion Division, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Japan Private Sector Representative:
- Mr. Nobusuke Takahashi, Chief Representative, Representative Office in Hanoi, Japan Bank for International Cooperation
- Mr. Yuji Kobayashi, Chief Representative, The Representative Office of Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. in HCMC
- Mr. Oh Dong Kun, Deputy General Manager, BECAMEX TOKYU Co., Ltd. and General Manager, the Representative Office of Tokyu Corporation in Ho Chi Minh City
･Representative of HCMC:
- Mr. Nguyen Van Tam, Vice Director, Department of Transport, Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee
･Representative of Private sector from Viet Nam
- Mr. Dam Xuan Toan, Deputy General Director, CIENCO4 GROUP.
Moderator
- Mr. Takashi Kawabata, Editor, NewsPicks Asia, and Chief Asia Economist, Uzabase Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
Introduction of Japanese technologies by Japanese business
- Mr. Masayuki Kosakada, Technology Executive for T&D and Solutions, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, on the technology of Electric Power Substation solution
- Mr. Yuji Kobayashi, Chief Representative, The Representative Office of Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. in HCMC, on the technology of LNG infrastructure
-
Mr. Shinichiro Motomiya, Vice President, International Affairs and Overseas Business Office, Narita International Airport Corporation on the technology of Airport operation & management
- Mr. Noriaki Kobayashi, Manager, Overseas Pipeline Renewal Division, Sekisui Chemical Co., LTD. on the technology of Trenchless pipe rehabilitation