So said Toshio Kashiwagi, newly-appointed President of the Japan Business Association in Ho Chi Minh City (JBAH) and Chief Representative of the Mitsubishi Co., Ltd in Vietnam at a meeting between JBAH members and Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan on June 1.

While applauding socio-economic achievements made by Vietnam in general and HCM City in particular, Japanese businesses raised concern about several difficulties in the city, including the shortage of electricity, water and skilled workers as well as poor infrastructure.

They proposed that the municipal authorities ensure sufficient power for production and qualified standardised labour force. They said they are ready to assist the city in training human resources and developing infrastructure.

Sharing concerns with Japanese businesses about power shortage, Chairman Quan said that the government is implementing a number of power projects in order to ensure durable energy sources for the country’s economic development.

HCM City will make every effort to ensure sufficient power for production while taking measures to save energy in the whole city, he said.

The municipal leader called on Japanese businesses to participate in the city’s human resource training and infrastructure development, including the building of metro routes, belt roads, bridges and tunnels.

He also pledged to maintain the secure environment for foreign investments in the city.