This was the message from the third Viet Nam-Japan Economic Forum held yesterday in Ha Noi in which Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam Mitsuo Sakaba emphasised the importance of support industries to enhancing the country’s competitiveness in Southeast Asia.

He called for financial support for enterprises involved in support industries as well as stronger co-operation between Viet Nam and Japan in training personnel for these industries.

Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc said lack of support industries was one of the biggest challenges facing Japanese investors in Viet Nam.

Thus, the two governments have agreed to build a plan for development of Vietnamese support industry, following the second and third stages of the Japan-Viet Nam Joint Initiative.

With the support from Japan, Viet Nam plans to expand five major support industries from 2010-20, including electronics and information technology, the garment industry, leather-shoe manufacturing, car-making and mechanical manufacturing.

Chairman of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vu Tien Loc said support industries and human resource training were potential sectors for co-operation between two countries’ enterprises.

"Cementing co-ordination in such sectors will contribute to fostering the Viet Nam-Japan bilateral ties," he added.

Co-organised by the chamber and the Japan External Trade Organisation, Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren), the forum was attended by more than 300 businesses, including over 60 Japanese companies specialising in the likes of manufacturing, mechanical engineering, trade, consultancy and information technology.

During their six-day visit to explore investment and business opportunities in the country, the visitors were scheduled to tour the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park as well as other industrial parks in Ha Noi, HCM City and the southern province of Binh Duong.

Japan is one of Viet Nam’s largest investors, accounting for 11.1 per cent of the registered foreign direct investment in the last three years. — VNS