Phong made the remark while hosting a March 2 reception for a delegation of Japanese firms, led by Iijima Isao, Special Advisor to the Japanese Cabinet, who came to discuss and promote the cooperation potential between HCM City and Japanese localities.

The host thanked Iijima Isao for his contributions, recommendations and enthusiastic support for HCM City, voicing his belief that the official would continue to contribute to accelerating the Vietnam-Japan relations, including the ties between HCM City and Japanese localities, in an increasingly effective fashion.

HCM City determines the cooperation project with Japan to construct the Metro Line No. 1 as of special importance and a symbol of the friendship and fine relations between the two countries, Phong said, stating that the locality will work closely with the Japanese side to ensure the project will be completed on schedule in 2020.

For his part, Iijima Isao expressed his delight at the positive development of the Vietnam-Japan ties, affirming that Japan’s leaders always appreciate and treasure the enhancement of diverse and effective cooperation with Vietnam, including the relations between Japanese localities and HCM City, Vietnam’s economic locomotive with huge development potential.

A general view of the reception.

Highlighting the cooperation potential between Japan and HCM City, he said that the Japanese business delegation are interested in exploring opportunities and promoting cooperation with the Vietnamese city in areas of mutual concern, such as education, human resource development, transportation, the exchange of skilled labour, and people-to-people exchanges.