PM Phuc and Russian President Vladimir Putin Saturday reaffirmed their commitments to promote the two nations’ comprehensive strategic partnership, particularly in oil and gas, energy and technology. It was the second meeting between the two leaders this year after PM Phuc’s official visit to Moscow in May.
Phuc also met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who hailed the bilateral efforts to promote the two countries' strategic partnership. The leaders affirmed their commitment to continue strengthening bilateral ties in more comprehensive ways.
Vietnam PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. Photo by Vietnam News Agency. |
The Vietnamese premier met with Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, South Korea's President Moon Jae-in, the U.N. Secretary-General, and the presidents of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ACB).
On the sidelines of the event in Osaka, PM Phuc also received representatives of leading Japanese corporations.
Japanese energy giant JXTG Group's chairman Tsutomu Sugimori said his firm and Petrolimex plan to execute a project to help Vietnam diversify its petroleum supply chain. JXTG is a strategic shareholder of Petrolimex, Vietnam’s key energy corporation.
In a meeting with Phuc, Marubeni Corporation expressed interest in electricity production using liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other sectors such as large-scale water treatment plants, distribution, e-commerce, sports, entertainment, healthcare, and the development of smart cities. The firm is building an instant coffee plant and a packaging factory in Vietnam.
Marubeni has been running some major electricity projects in Vietnam, including the Thai Binh 1 Thermal Power Plant and the upcoming Nghi Son 2 Thermal Power Plant.
Vietnam PM Phuc with Nobiru Adachi, chairman of J Trust Bank in Osaka, Japan. Photo by Vietnam Government Portal. |
Phuc also met with J Trust Bank that expects to join in Vietnam's bank restructuring process. The prime minister said he welcomed J Trust's desire to bring Japanese small and medium enterprises to Vietnam as the country aims to establish one million businesses by 2020.
Japan has been the biggest investor in Vietnam, pouring in $8.59 billion or 24.2 percent of the country’s total FDI in 2018, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
Last year, Vietnam became the top ASEAN recipient of Japanese investment, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in ASEAN (FJCCIA) reported.