Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh on Wednesday hosted Mr Hikita Chiaki, the President of Japan’s Tsurusaki Sealand Transportation Co Ltd cum Head of delegation from the Oita Foreign Trade Association Inc.

A view from the reception for the Japanese guests

Vice Chairman Minh highly applauded Japanese businesses for their active engagement in partly promoting Da Nang’s progress, and strengthening the time-honoured relationships between Viet Nam and Japan as a whole.

Mr Minh also vowed that the best possible business environment would be secured for Japanese investors to operate effectively in the city.

The host also suggested that the Oita Foreign Trade Association Inc should strengthen cooperation and links with Da Nang enterprises in such aspects as biotechnology, nanotechnology, and education.

In reply, Mr Hikita Chiaki highlighted strengths of Oita Prefecture’s businesses in hi-tech, agriculture, and tourism. In particular, his Da Nang visit aimed at introducing products sourced from Oita, and seeking future opportunities to build long-term cooperation with the central Vietnamese city, and to participate in the city’s manufacturing supply chain.

According to Japanese businesses, Da Nang has abundant human resources. Many Japanese firms show keen interest in supplying and transporting goods by sea from Da Nang to the Japanese ports of Yokohama and Kobe. Especially, they also pay special attention to developing the city’s logistics once the Lien Chieu mega-port is put into use in the near future, and connecting road, rail and air links between Da Nang and Japan.

Also on the same day, in another his reception for Finnish Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Employment Petri Peltonen, Vice Chairman Minh highly praised the effectiveness of the Viet Nam-Finland Innovation Partnership Programme (IPP), which is being jointly deployed in Da Nang by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology.

Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh (right) presenting a momento to Finnish Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Employment Petri Peltonen

The host said he would like Finland would continue to strengthen cooperation with his locality in science, technology, start-up innovation, tourism and more.

Vice Chairman Minh remarked that Finland is one of Da Nang’s important partners in implementing local projects regarding smart city building, startup and innovation.

Also at the meeting, representatives of the Authority of the Da Nang Hi- Tech Park said that the park will be developed into a scientific one in the right direction of a green urban development model, with a focus on intensifying research - development (R&D) activities.

Currently, the Da Nang Hi-tech Park is focusing on building a creativity enhancement project. In regard to this aspect, the Turku Science Park is willing to share knowledge and scientific information for the Da Nang park. Also, Finland can also expand its investment in the R&D and manufacturing sub-zones at this venue in the future.

As for the building of a smart city, Deputy Minister Petri Peltonen affirmed Finland’s willingness to share experience with Da Nang in management work, data security, the building of small-sized tourist boats.

Besides, Finnish businesses are ready to cooperate with Da Nang in the development of renewable energy, and waste treatment.