As part of a working visit to Japan by a delegation of some of Da Nang’s leaders and local businesspeople, led by the municipal People's Committee Chairman Mr Van Huu Chien, a seminar entitled “Appealing for more Japanese Businesses to Invest in Da Nang” took place in Yokohama City on Tuesday.

Co-organised by the Da Nang and Yokohama authorities, the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), the Vietnamese Economic Research Institute of Japan (VERI), and the Yokohama Industrial Development Corporation (IDEC), the event attracted 180 participants from  Japanese businesses.  The purpose was to encourage more Japanese businesses to invest in Da Nang’s Hi-tech and dedicated IT parks.

Representatives from Da Nang at the seminar

Speaking at the event, Chairman Chien said that his city’s current development strategies focus on developing high-tech industries, training qualified human resources, and protecting the environment.  The city has so far established a 1,010 ha Hi-tech Park which is one of the country’s three major hi-tech parks.  In addition, the 341ha dedicated IT Park is currently under construction at a cost of 278 million USD. 

The city leader took the opportunity to appeal for foreign IT and high-tech scientists, engineers and experts to work in the city once the park’s construction is complete.  He added that his city is encouraging the provision of training courses in hi-tech industries at the local universities.

Before attending the above event, the Da Nang delegation and the Yokohama authorities had discussed the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding for bilateral sustainable development which was signed on 9 April.  Discussions also focused on possible bilateral cooperative projects in the near future, as well as how to facilitate local businesses seeking cooperative opportunities with partners in their respective cities.

During their stay in Japan, the Da Nang delegation also met with the Mansei Recycle Systems Company to discuss Da Nang’s wastewater treatment and recycling projects for protecting the local environment.