The Trade and Investment Promotion Centre of Ho Chi Minh City incoordination with the Japan Business Association in the city (JBAH) helda roundtable meeting on December 19 to seek ways to facilitate Japanesefirms.

In a spirit of openness, representativesfrom relevant city departments and agencies discussed Japanesebusinesses’ concerns.

According to Pham QuocChuong, a representative from the Transport Department, the city hasexpanded T-junctions joining East-West Avenue to reducetraffic congestion and help the transportation of goods to Cat Lai Port.In addition, Suoi Cai Bridge and Thu Duc Overpass will becompleted before the 2013 New Year Festival.

DeputyDirector of the city’s Customs Department Nguyen Trong Hung askedJapanese firms to cooperate with management agencies to limit negativeactivities. He suggested they report violations by public duty forces tomanagement agencies via a hotline established by the department.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Dung from the city’s Police Departmentrecommended foreigners, including Japanese, report incidents of theftnot only to their embassies or general consulates, but to localauthorities as well.

JBAH Chairman Mitsuhiro Morisaid around 600 businesses, which are members of the association, wantthe investment and business environment improved to assist theiroperation and attract more investors.

According to DeputyChairman of HCM City People’s Committee Le Manh Ha, total investmentfrom Japanese firms in the city reached 2.7 billion USD so far thisyear, maintaining Japan ’s position as leading foreign investor. Italso demonstrates the effectiveness in organising and maintaining suchroundtable meetings between the city and Japanese firms, which began in2006, he added.-VNA