Binh Duong-Yamaguchi (Japan): Ten-year connection

Part 3: Improving friendly cooperative relationship

The cooperative and friendly relationship between Binh Duong province and Yamaguchi prefecture has been continuously nurtured and developed, becoming a model for local cooperation between Vietnam and Japan. Building on its potential, strengths and the solid foundation of collaboration already established with Japan in general and Yamaguchi in particular, Binh Duong will continue being an ideal destination for Japanese investors in the next years.

Expanding investment

Over the past decade, the cooperative relationship between Binh Duong province and Yamaguchi prefecture has constantly grown, fostering mutual support in various fields. This partnership has facilitated connections between Japanese investors and Binh Duong, actively promoting exchange activities that have significantly contributed to the economic, cultural and social development of both localities.

On December 18, provincial leaders and Becamex IDC welcome a high-ranking delegation from Yamaguchi prefecture

Recently, Japanese investors have continued pouring substantial capital into infrastructure development, urban planning, high technology and trade-services sectors in Binh Duong. Major corporations such as Tokyu, Panasonic, Toshiba, Aeon…have contributed significantly to the province's socio-economic development. Becamex Tokyu joint venture stands as an exemplary model of cooperation between Japanese enterprises and Vietnamese ones in general and those in Binh Duong in particular.

Recently, during a meeting with leaders of Binh Duong province, Mr. Hirohisa Fujiwara, Permanent Member of the Board of Directors and International Business Director of Tokyu Corporation shared that the corporation has planned to continue investing in housing and urban development in Binh Duong New City. Additionally, it aims at expanding into other sectors such as trade-services and urban development associated with the public traffic model of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). The corporation has also established research and survey teams to explore new investment opportunities in such fields as high technology and semiconductor technology in Binh Duong in the coming time.

Nagato Takahiko, Chairman of Binh Duong province-based Japanese Business Association Branch stated that HCM city-based Japan Business Association in Ho Chi Minh City currently includes 1,050 companies, of which more than 160 are part of the Binh Duong branch. Binh Duong is the first destination for Japanese businesses when conducting investment research in Vietnam. With its remarkable current growth and the development of Binh Duong New City, he believes that many major foreign enterprises, including Japanese ones, will soon shift their investment focus to Binh Duong.

Deepening relationship

 

Ono Masuo, Consul General of Japan in HCM city shared that Yamaguchi prefecture and Binh Duong province have continuously strengthened their exchanges since signing the Memorandum of Understanding on Friendship Cooperation in December 2014. The Japanese Consulate General is committed to making every effort to further deepen the exchanges and cooperation at multiple levels between Japan and Vietnam, including Yamaguchi prefecture, Binh Duong province and other southern provinces and cities in Vietnam. These efforts aim at fostering an even stronger Japan-Vietnam relationship in the future.

According to Mr. Muraoka Tsugumasa, Governor of Yamaguchi prefecture, the growth of Yamaguchi's industries are based on the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. He hopes that Binh Duong and Yamaguchi will strengthen their collaboration and share efforts toward this common objective of carbon neutrality in the coming time.

Towards the goal of carbon neutrality and the creation of a new ecosystem, Binh Duong province has adopted a policy to develop green and carbon-neutral industries. This includes establishing next-generation industrial zones and eco-industrial parks to attract investors committed to green and clean development. Currently, the province’s key projects are being implemented by Becamex IDC in collaboration with major Japanese corporations such as Tokyu and NTT East. These projects are part of the Smart City Development Project, with a focus on the Innovation Region, aimed at contributing to Binh Duong’s rapid, stable and sustainable development.

Binh Duong has continued investing heavily in infrastructure, particularly in key traffic projects such as HCM city’s belt roads 3 and 4 sections passing through the province as well as the Metro system. These projects not only enhance regional connectivity, but also create favorable conditions to boost economic cooperation with international partners, particularly Japanese partners.

Nguyen Van Loi, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of provincial Party Committee and Head of provincial National Assembly Deputy Delegation affirmed that the close bond between Binh Duong and Yamaguchi has served as a model for cooperation and diplomacy between Vietnam and Japan. The friendly cooperation between the two provinces is currently at its best, getting more and more dynamic, proactive and effective. Mr. Loi expressed confidence that the bilateral friendship and cooperation between Binh Duong and Yamaguchi as well as Binh Duong's multilateral partnerships with Japanese counterparts will provide valuable resources to help Binh Duong achieve its strategic development goals. These include "building a prosperous Binh Duong province and a civilized, wealthy and smart Binh Duong city".

Reported by Ngoc Thanh-Thanh Tuyen-Translated by Kim Tin