## Strengthening the Capacity of ITSS Education at Hanoi University of Technology (Vietnam)

Vietnam has positioned its IT sector as a promising industrial sector with a high rate of growth, and is actively moving forward with education and the fostering of human resources for this sector. However, the development of the human resources sought by this industry has not been adequately carried out due to factors like a lack of equipment and funds at universities and research institutions, as well as a dearth of teaching staff and technical professionals who are well versed in the latest technologies. Therefore, Japan has been carrying out a technical cooperation project aimed at Hanoi University of Technology since October 2006 (Note 21). Through the dispatch of experts and the acceptance of trainees, Japan creates learning plans and educational materials and provides intensive courses aimed at working adults. Through this Japan contributes to the fostering of exceptional human resources for educational institutions for Vietnam's IT sector and its IT industry, as well as strengthening the industrial competitiveness of the country through the development of IT skills (Note 22). Also, this project promotes education for IT technical experts in a Japanese language environment based on the Japanese IT Skill Standard (ITSS) (Note 23). This is expected to foster human resources who can connect the IT industries of Japan and Vietnam (Bridge SE (Note 24): bridges connecting the IT industries of Japan and Vietnam).

## (3) Cooperation Between Trade, Investment, and Other Official Flows (OOF)

It is key that the private sector play a leading role for sustainable growth in developing countries, and therefore it is important to promote industry and vitalize private sector activities such as trade and investment. Yet in developing

##

Japan utilizes ODA and Other Official Flows (OOF) to support efforts like promoting small and medium-scale enterprises in developing countries, transferring industrial technology, and economic policies. Moreover, it also supports the improvement of trade and investment environments and economic infrastructure in order to improve the export capabilities and competitiveness of developing countries. The WTO Doha Round Negotiations (The Doha Development Agenda) which started in 2001 emphasizes the promotion of development through participation in the multilateral trading system. Japan has contributed to the trust fund set up within the WTO in aiming for the implementation of the WTO agreements for developing countries and to improve their capacity to participate in negotiations.

Regarding access to Japanese markets, Japan carries out the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which adopts lower tariff rates than general rates for exports of products from developing countries. Duty-Free and Quota-Free measures (Note 25) are also implemented for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Japan also actively promotes Economic countries beset by numerous challenges it can sometimes be difficult to set in place an environment for attracting private investment, and so support from the international community is essential.

Partnership Agreements (EPAs), and strives to facilitate economic growth in developing countries through these EPAs.

In recent years, discussions have been intensifying over Aid for Trade (AfT) at various international fora as a means of further promoting support by developed countries, including Japan. Japan announced its unique contribution measure of the Development Initiative for Trade 2009 at the WTO’s Second Global Review Meeting on Aid for Trade in July 2009. This initiative includes support for trade-related ODA totaling approximately US$12 billion over the three-year period from 2009 to 2011, and has garnered high praise from numerous countries. In terms of specific initiatives, it donates trade-related infrastructure and provides technical cooperation, while also offering support, which relates to the One Village, One Product Campaign. In addition, Japan supports developing countries to facilitate private sector investment by finding common challenges among developing countries and recommending several measures to promote investment.