Many of Việt Nam’s infrastructure works are being funded by Japanese official development assistance. — VNA/VNS Photo Tiến Lực

HCM CITY — Japan is keen to help Việt Nam improve its infrastructure, a critical area in the 12 co-operation agreements the two countries signed during Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s recent visit to Việt Nam.

The Japanese Government and businesses will continue to support Việt Nam’s development, especially important projects such as improvement of its water environment and urban railways in HCM City.

The city recently received the first train that will run on its metro line No 1 from Bến Thành to Suối Tiên theme park and is being built with loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). 

The city has also proposed building line No. 3A (Bến Thành – Tân Kiên Station) at an estimated cost of around US$2.82 billion.

Akira Shimizu, chief representative of JICA in Việt Nam, said that despite the impacts of COVID-19, infrastructure works funded by Japanese ODA are progressing on schedule.

Supporting the Việt Nam Government’s desire to not delay public works, JICA has continued to fund various projects, contributing to the economy’s recovery.

Japan has funded a number of infrastructure projects that have improved the lives of people. For instance, a national project to build or upgrade 98 major bridges on 29 national highways in 31 provinces and cities funded by JICA and domestic reciprocal capital was completed in the end of June, and has helped improve transportation.

The Yên Xá wastewater treatment plant in Hà Nội funded by Japanese ODA is under construction. When it is complete, household wastewater will be processed before being released into the hitherto polluted Tô Lịch and Lừ rivers.

These works fit Việt Nam’s priorities, and JICA said it would continue to work with the Government on new projects. — VNS