Vietnam PM Asks for Japan’s ODA in Five Key Sectors

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Chairman of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Tanaka Akihiko in Tokyo, Japan, on December 18 and made some proposals on official development assistance (ODA), local media reported.

The PM proposed the Japanese side study the implementation of new-generation ODA with more incentives in interest rates and terms, simpler and more flexible procedures focusing on projects in five key areas.

They are (i) strategic infrastructure development, (ii) emerging industries such as digital transformation, green transition, climate change response, new energy, and semiconductor, (iii) labor training and cooperation, (iv) health and education, and (v) environmental protection and improving people’s lives.

PM Chinh assigned specific tasks to relevant agencies to continue working with JICA to settle issues and complete ongoing projects soon.

For his part, Mr. Tanaka Akihiko spoke highly of the newest ODA deal made during PM Chinh's current trip to Japan regarding the fourth loan for the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line (metro 1) in Ho Chi Minh City.

Both sides need to address hitches at existing transport projects, especially the metro 1 project, by measures including accelerating additional loan package agreement, he said.

The JICA chairman committed to elevating the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership. Since June, JICA has implemented new-generation ODA projects, and it will work with Vietnamese agencies to execute projects effectively following PM Chinh’s opinions, especially in the five aforementioned important areas for cooperation.

(Bao Chinh Phu, moitruong.net.vn, Nhan Dan, Dan Tri, Vietnam Plus, VietnamNet, CAND, Thanh Nien, Sputnik Vietnamese)