The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has reaffirmed its dedication to bolstering Vietnam’s economic growth with significant investments in infrastructure, energy, and technology projects. In a recent meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng, JBIC Governor Maeda Tadashi emphasized the bank’s commitment to advancing 15 projects under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative, amounting to around $20 billion. Additionally, Maeda pledged ongoing support for energy projects through the Partnership for Energy Resilience and Resource Asia (POWERR Asia) initiative.
Prime Minister Hưng expressed appreciation for JBIC’s enduring partnership and financial contributions to Japanese-backed projects in Vietnam. He noted enhanced Vietnam-Japan relations since both nations elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership nearly three years ago. The collaboration has broadened from traditional industries to emerging sectors like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, renewable energy, green technology, and space development. Hưng highlighted the potential for deeper bilateral cooperation and encouraged JBIC to facilitate investment in strategic infrastructure and industrial growth.
The Vietnamese prime minister urged JBIC to create financing and investment guarantee mechanisms to support industrial clusters, innovation centers, and high-tech manufacturing facilities throughout Vietnam. He also called for expanded backing for public-private partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and technology transfer initiatives, while encouraging further Japanese investment in sectors such as semiconductors, AI, batteries, advanced materials, critical minerals, and other high-tech industries.
In response, Governor Maeda expressed robust support for Vietnam’s development goals and agreed with the proposals discussed during the meeting. He highlighted Japan’s role as Vietnam’s largest provider of official development assistance and noted that private-sector investment will increasingly drive economic growth. Maeda assured that JBIC is ready to enhance cooperation in attracting international financing and supporting long-term development initiatives, leveraging the bank’s experience with public-private partnerships.
Looking forward, JBIC plans to continue its collaboration with Vietnam to complete the remaining AZEC projects and support energy developments to boost the country’s energy security. Maeda also announced that the bank is fostering partnerships with third countries to develop Vietnam’s semiconductor supply chains, AI ecosystem, and data center infrastructure. Furthermore, JBIC is supporting Vietnamese startups through venture capital initiatives and exploring collaboration on the Vietnam International Financial Centre and broader cultural exchange programs, underscoring the deepening economic partnership between Vietnam and Japan.