## (2) Vietnam North-South Expressway:

The aim of this project is to build an expressway connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. A Japanese expressway company is expressing their interest in participating in the project and the MLIT also provides supports toward the participation in the project. One of the specific supports is the “Seminar on Vietnam Expressway” based on the “Memorandum Regarding Cooperation in the Field of Railways” concluded with the Ministry of Traffic and Transportation of Vietnam, which is held once a year alternatively in Japan and in Vietnam to introduce Japan’s experiences, technologies, and systems as well as to exchange opinions. In August 2011, the 5th seminar was held in Da Nang, Vietnam. Further the MLIT is also working on top sales, for example, by inviting the Vice Minister of Traffic and Transportation of Vietnam in March 2012 to exchange opinions with the MLIT Parliamentary Secretary, Vice-Minister.

## (3) Lack Huyen Port Project:

The aim of this project is to build a new container terminal off the Port in order to address increasing cargo demand at Hai Phong Port, the largest port in the northern Vietnam.

This project is jointly promoted by PPP between Japan and Vietnam, in which the land development such as reclamation is carried out by means of public investment, while improvement of facilities such as buildings as well as terminal operation are intended to be carried out by a joint venture company between a Japanese company and a Vietnamese company. MLIT has been providing assistance by way of top sales, etc.

On October 31, 2011, the Letter of Intent for Incorporation of Joint Venture Company was signed between a Japanese company and a Vietnamese company and the yen loan supply was decided in the presence of the Prime Minister of Japan and the Prime Minister of Vietnam with regard to the part concerning the public investment.

(4) Eco-City Development:

In December 2011, the Senior Vice-Minister of MLIT visited Vietnam with an autographed letter from the Prime Minister and the Minister of MLIT and paid a call on the Minister of Construction of Vietnam to exchange opinions about building cooperative relationship to promote eco-city development in Vietnam. Further in March 2012, the MLIT Parliamentary Secretary, Vice-Minister visited Vietnam and exchanged opinions with the Vice-Minister of Construction of Vietnam on how to go ahead with the eco-city development.

## (Participation of “New Public Commons”)

As a new approach to solve regional issues, the concept of so-called “New Public Commons” under which the public services conventionally borne by the government are to be realized through co-production of local communities and business operators is being widespread. The number of cases is increasing, in which actors such as local communities, business operators and NPOs voluntarily work to solve regional issues by themselves. The number of NPO organizations has increased tenfold in the last ten years, from about 3,000 to more than 40,000. In the reconstruction assistance after the Great East Japan Earthquake, a number of NPO organizations, etc., are participating actively.

[Welcome breakfast for the Prime Minister of Vietnam held by the Minister of MLIT]

Source: MLIT

North-South Express Railway Plan

### Chart. 185 Transition in the Number of NPO Organizations

Source: Developed by MLIT based on materials of Cabinet Office