An official from the Japanese Foreign Ministry said hosting APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and different related meetings was a “fruitful experience” for Vietnam.

Talking with the Vietnam News Agency, Naohiro Tsutsumi, Director of the OECD Division of Economic Affairs Bureau of the Japanese Foreign Ministry commented, “It’s a very good opportunity to promote Vietnam as the best country and this wonderful culture and wonderful people to other parts of the world.”

Having visited Vietnam three times, the Japanese guest said he and other representatives from APEC member economies who came to Vietnam for APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and other related meetings could use this time to get to know Vietnam and its people better.

Speaking about what Vietnam should do to attract more investment, Naohiro noted the existing differences in living standards between big cities, such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and rural areas, such as areas in Quang Nam province and Hoi An town and stressed “there is a challenge for Vietnam to attract investment.”

He suggested that the Vietnamese government and other sectors should further improve the investment environment in comparison with neighbouring countries as from the perspective of Japanese companies, Vietnam’s investment environment in many areas is not the best in the region.

“The Vietnamese Government has already tried its best to improve the investment environment and attract more investment,” said the Japanese official.

By bettering the investment climate, “you can definitely attract more investment from Japan,” Naohiro said, expressing his belief that Vietnam, which is a popular place for Japanese tourists, is also very attractive to Japanese investors. (VNA)