The most efficient use of ODA funds has helped the process of poverty reduction and national construction in Viet Nam, PM Dung said in his keynote speech before the Japanese Parliament.

The PM thanked the Japanese Parliament, Government and people for their assistance to and fine sentiments towards Viet Nam. He also said that the relations between Viet Nam and Japan have been deepened and that frequent meetings between leaders of the governments, legislative bodies, branches and localities of the two countries have helped accelerate bilateral cooperation in all areas.

While meeting with the Speaker of the House of Councillors, Chikage Ogi, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yohei Kono, earlier on Oct. 19, the PM said that Japan's aid has contributed to pushing up the socio-economic development process in Viet Nam. He affirmed that scandal at a project management unit under the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport has not affected the quality of the Japanese ODA-funded works.

The PM expressed his belief that the Speakers of the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives would continue to help strengthen the friendship between the two countries in general and between the two legislatures in particular.

Japan's legislative chiefs said they believed that Viet Nam would continue to progress and make important contributions to the development and stability in the region and the world.

They added that the Japan-Viet Nam relations will constantly develop in depth and width on the basis of the expansion of investment and trade, and effective cooperation in various areas such as education and science-technology.

The same day, PM Dung and his wife met with Emperor Akihito and his Queen. During the meeting, the PM thanked the Emperor, the Queen and the Japanese royal family for their sentiments towards Vietnamese people. He said that the visit helped him understand more about the land and the people of the country of the rising sun. He also extended President Nguyen Minh Triet's invitation to visit Viet Nam to the Japanese Emperor and Queen.

On the morning of Oct. 19, representatives from big Japanese companies such as Mizuho bank, Nikkei, Mitsubishi, Sojitz, Marubeni, Nomura and Sumitomo, paid courtesy visits to the PM. They expressed their wish to continue expanding their investment and business in Viet Nam, contributing to boosting Viet Nam's socio-economic development.

The PM lauded these companies' decision and affirmed that the Vietnamese Government would give more favourable conditions for Japanese businesses to operate efficiently in Viet Nam.(VNA)