The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has reinforced its commitment to fostering Vietnam’s economic growth through significant investment in infrastructure, energy, and technology projects. In a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng, JBIC Governor Maeda Tadashi confirmed the bank’s ongoing support for 15 projects under the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative, which total around $20 billion in investments. Additionally, he reaffirmed JBIC’s dedication to energy projects within the Partnership for Energy Resilience and Resource Asia (POWERR Asia) framework.
Prime Minister Hưng expressed gratitude for JBIC’s unwavering partnership and financial backing of Japanese-supported projects in Vietnam. He noted the steady enhancement of Vietnam-Japan relations since both nations elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership nearly three years ago. According to Hưng, bilateral cooperation has broadened to include emerging sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, renewable energy, green technology, and space exploration.
The Vietnamese prime minister emphasized the potential for deeper collaboration and urged JBIC to play a pivotal role in attracting investments for strategic infrastructure and industrial development. He encouraged the establishment of financing and investment guarantee mechanisms to support industrial clusters, innovation hubs, and high-tech manufacturing facilities throughout Vietnam. Additionally, Hưng called for expanded JBIC support for public-private partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and technology transfers, while advocating for increased Japanese investment in sectors like semiconductors, AI, batteries, advanced materials, critical minerals, and other high-tech industries.
In response, Governor Maeda expressed strong backing for Vietnam’s developmental goals and concurred with the proposals discussed in the meeting. He highlighted that while Japan remains Vietnam’s largest provider of official development assistance, private-sector investments will become increasingly vital for sustained economic growth. Drawing from JBIC’s experience with public-private partnerships, Maeda stated that the bank is ready to enhance cooperation in attracting international financing and supporting long-term developmental projects.
Looking forward, JBIC plans to continue its collaboration with Vietnam to implement the remaining AZEC projects while bolstering power, oil, and gas initiatives to enhance the nation’s energy security. Maeda also unveiled JBIC’s efforts to partner with third countries to develop Vietnam’s semiconductor supply chains, artificial intelligence ecosystem, and data center infrastructure. The bank is also supporting Vietnamese startups through venture capital initiatives and exploring collaboration on the Vietnam International Financial Centre and broader cultural exchange programs, reflecting the deepening economic partnership between Vietnam and Japan.