-Dialogue for Quality Infrastructure- Building Prosperous Future in Vietnam at Vietnam Expo in Ho Chi Minh City

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Believing Japan's quality infrastructure to be essential for achieving
sustainable economic growth in Vietnam, the Government of Japan hosted
the “Dialogue for Quality Infrastructure – Building Asia’s Future” at
the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center, the venue of Vietnam Expo in
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) on Thursday, December 7, 2017. Attended by over
one hundred participants, the event promoted active discussions on
“Quality Infrastructure” needed for sustainable development in Vietnam
and Japan’s role in this development.

In opening remarks on behalf of the Government of Japan, H.E. Mr.
Junichi Kawaue, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City stated
“Vietnam is taking a leadership role in ASEAN’s growth. To further
pursue more sustainable and powerful growth, it is essential to provide
an appropriate plan, funds, and technology for infrastructure
development. The concept of ‘quality infrastructure’ is the guiding
principle for such infrastructure development.” Consul General Kawaue
also stated that the Japanese government and Japanese companies are
already supporting infrastructure development in Vietnam, including
HCMC’s MRT1, which contributes to the quality of life as well as
economic growth.

Representing Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Le Van Khoa, Vice Chairman, Ho Chi
Minh City People's Committee said HCMC strongly agrees with the concept
of “Quality Infrastructure.” “We seek to develop this city as a model
for the future. We must continuously play a leadership role for the
economy and society,” said Mr. Ho.

Prior to discussions, Mr. Yasuharu Funabashi, Deputy General Manager for
Strategic Project Office Industry Research Department of Mizuho Bank,
made a speech to set the day's agenda. Mr. Funabashi presented
insightful data on Vietnam’s current and future economic outlook,
reminding participants that Vietnam has the fastest growing GDP in
ASEAN, and expects to grow further in an export-driven economy fueled by
foreign capital and industrialization. Given fiscal austerity measures
announced last year, from a financial perspective, the time to propose
“Quality Infrastructure” is now.

In the dialogue, Vietnamese and Japanese panelists debated the role of
“Quality Infrastructure” in sustainable economic growth. Discussions
touched on preferential infrastructure projects as drivers for economic
development and the role of public and private investment in realizing
Vietnam’s development plan. Mr. Nguyen Van Tam, Vice Director,
Department of Transport, Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee discussed
HCMC’s current situation regarding to infrastructure, including road and
sewage disposal. While some plans have been approved to address these
issues, “Quality Infrastructure” is greatly needed. Comprehensive access
to financing is also vital for accelerating infrastructure improvements.
However, there has been movement toward greater investment to address
social issues, including traffic congestion, and plans for transforming
HCMC into a Smart City were recently unveiled.

Mr. Dam Xuan Toan, Deputy General Director, CIENCO4 GROUP, shared his
ODA experience with Japan, presenting his positive impression of
quality, while emphasizing the need to “receive large benefits from
Japan, in terms of human resource development.”

Representing the Government of Japan, Ms. Yuko Baba, Director, Trade
Finance Division, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry, contended, “It is important to have
concrete ideas of ‘Quality Infrastructure.’ Defective infrastructure
would significantly impact socioeconomic activity. To prevent this,
well-planned development and execution, including adequate
infrastructure operation and maintenance are needed. In that context,
Japan will strongly support capacity building in ASEAN countries.”

Representatives for Japanese firms then shared their business
experiences: Mr. Yuji Kobayashi, Chief Representative, Tokyo Gas HCMC
Representative Office, said Tokyo Gas shares stable energy supply,
emphasizing the company’s strengths in stability and optimizing
high-quality service. Mr. Oh Dong Kun, Deputy General Manager, BECAMEX
TOKYU Co., Ltd. and General Manager, Tokyu Corporation HCMC
Representative Office, said rail operator Tokyu Corporation shares
successful experiences in enhancing business to city development helping
to increase passengers.

The moderator, Mr. Takashi Kawabata, Editor, NewsPicks Asia, and Chief
Asia Economist, Uzabase Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., suggested many
developing countries, including Vietnam, need both infrastructure
development and economic growth, and that this requires large
investments. He asked panelists to share their opinions on development
methods, including the use of private fund and possible issues.

Mr. Nobusuke Takahashi, Chief Representative, Japan Bank for
International Corporation (JBIC) stressed the importance of
public-private cooperation, stating, “Infrastructure cannot be developed
by the private sector alone. The public and private division of roles
should be clarified. Especially in case of FDI, the host country is
expected to guarantee currency exchanges.”

Concluding discussions, Ms. Baba stated, “Although quality
infrastructure development with limited resources is challenging,
public-private partnership may be the key in Vietnam, and it is
important to build a successful model step by step. ‘Quality
Infrastructure’ can change the stream of people, goods and money and
lead to strong economic growth in the country. We are willing to
contribute to ‘Quality Infrastructure’ development in Vietnam, both in
terms of finance and know-how.”

Program
Opening Remarks by
Host
H.E. Mr. Junichi Kawaue, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi
Minh City

Speech by Guest of Honor
Mr. Tran Vinh Tuyen, Vice Chairman,
Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee

Agenda Setting
Mr. Yasuharu Funabashi, Deputy General
Manager, Strategic Project Office Industry Research Department, Mizuho
Bank

Dialogue (Panel Discussion)
“What's most important to
infrastructure development for strong economic growth in Vietnam?”

Panelists
Government of Japan
Representative:

• Ms. Yuko Baba, Director for Trade Promotion, Trade Promotion Division,
  Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and
  Industry.

Japan Private Sector Representative:

• Mr. Nobusuke Takahashi, Chief Representative, Representative Office in
  Hanoi, Japan Bank for International Cooperation
• Mr. Yuji Kobayashi, Chief Representative, The Representative Office of
  Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. in HCMC
• Mr. Oh Dong Kun, Deputy General Manager, BECAMEX TOKYU Co., Ltd. and
  General Manager, the Representative Office of Tokyu Corporation in Ho
  Chi Minh City

･Representative of HCMC:

• Mr. Nguyen Van Tam, Vice Director, Department of Transport, Ho Chi
  Minh City People's Committee

･Representative of Private sector from Viet Nam

• Mr. Dam Xuan Toan, Deputy General Director, CIENCO4 GROUP.

Moderator

• Mr. Takashi Kawabata, Editor, NewsPicks Asia, and Chief Asia
  Economist, Uzabase Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.

Introduction of Japanese technologies by Japanese business

• Mr. Masayuki Kosakada, Technology Executive for T&D and Solutions,
  Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, on the technology of
  Electric Power Substation solution
• Mr. Yuji Kobayashi, Chief Representative, The Representative Office of
  Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. in HCMC, on the technology of LNG infrastructure

• Mr. Shinichiro Motomiya, Vice President, International Affairs and
  Overseas Business Office, Narita International Airport Corporation
  on the technology of Airport operation & management

• Mr. Noriaki Kobayashi, Manager, Overseas Pipeline Renewal Division,
  Sekisui Chemical Co., LTD. on the technology of Trenchless pipe
  rehabilitation

Contacts

Inquiry:
Dialogue for Quality Infrastructure Administration Office
TSUKASA
SEKI
Mail: [email protected]
Tel
: +81-70-1001-3557