Prime Minister meets with major Japanese corporations, removing obstacles for 2 billion-dollar projects

On the afternoon of December 16, in Tokyo, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received leaders of three large Japanese corporations including Mitsui/MOECO, Idemitsu and IHW.

Earlier, during talks on the same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio agreed to establish a joint coordination group between the two governments to promote the progress and effectiveness of a number of economic projects being implemented between the two countries, including the Nghi Son oil refinery project.

Gas exploitation at Block B - O Mon to be delayed until 2026 at the latest

Mitsui is a business investment and trading group in the fields of mineral resources exploitation, energy, equipment, chemicals, food, textiles and finance worldwide.

Mitsui Oil and Gas Exploration Company (MOECO) is a subsidiary of Mitsui operating primarily in the field of oil and gas exploration and exploitation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Mr. Hidenori Harada, President and CEO of MOECO (Photo: Doan Bac).

In Vietnam, MOECO is a member of the joint venture of investors in the Block B - O Mon Gas Project, with an investment scale of nearly 12 billion USD. Natural gas from Block B will supply 4 power plants including O Mon I, II, III and IV for over 20 years.

When put into operation, these O Mon power plants will provide electricity with a total capacity of about 3,800 MW, making an important contribution to national energy security.

At the meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Hidenori Harada, President and CEO of MOECO, thanked the Prime Minister for his special attention to the Block B gas project.

Updating the project implementation status, Mr. Hidenori Harada said that since the signing ceremony and project implementation at the end of October, 12/13 outstanding issues have been resolved by the parties according to the principles of harmonious benefits and shared risks.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the Block B - O Mon Gas Project is a key project with large investment scale and important significance to Vietnam, receiving special attention from the Government and the Prime Minister.

Welcoming MOECO's proposals to promote the progress of the Block B - O Mon Gas Project, the Prime Minister asked MOECO to continue to closely coordinate with the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group and ministries and branches to complete related procedures and soon implement the Project.

"It is necessary to ensure progress, quality, efficiency, and achieve the ultimate goal of all parties, and have the first gas flow by 2026 at the latest," the Prime Minister suggested.

In addition, he suggested that the group strengthen and expand investment and business activities in Vietnam, especially in areas of strength such as equipment manufacturing.

Nghi Son Petrochemical Refinery needs to cut losses as soon as possible

Idemitsu is a leading Japanese energy corporation, owning and operating 7 petrochemical refineries in Japan.

In Vietnam, the group has participated in investing in the development of the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Plant project with a total disbursed capital of 8.78 billion USD for the project together with the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN).

The Prime Minister met with Mr. Susumu Nibuya, Executive Vice President and CEO of Idemitsu Corporation (Photo: Doan Bac).

During the meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Susumu Nibuya, Permanent Vice President and CEO of the group, updated the operation situation in Vietnam, especially handling issues related to Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Plant.

Previously, in November 2023, the Prime Minister surveyed and worked at Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Plant, requesting Vietnamese and Japanese partners to conduct a comprehensive restructuring of the project, because accumulated losses were still large.

This time, the Prime Minister asked the group and its partners to continue restructuring the project, improve management efficiency, build effective operating procedures, apply modern technology to reduce input costs, and cut losses as soon as possible for the project.

Mr. Susumu Nibuya affirmed that the relevant parties will be more serious in implementing the restructuring of this project.

IHW (International Health and Welfare) is Japan's leading non-profit medical group, including medical universities, hospitals, and welfare organizations nationwide.

Prime Minister receives Mr. Takagi Kuninori, Chairman of IHW Medical Group (Photo: Doan Bac),

Mr. Takagi Kuninori, Chairman of IHW Medical Group, shared about IHW's potential and strengths and announced cooperation activities in Vietnam, especially training medical students and plans to build a 200-bed hospital with modern technology in Vietnam.

The Prime Minister affirmed that medical cooperation and training of medical human resources are also priorities in promoting and concretizing the recently established Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Prime Minister welcomed the IHW Group's plan to implement a project to build a high-quality, Japanese-standard medical examination and treatment facility in Vietnam.

He affirmed that Vietnam supports the project in principle and is ready to create favorable conditions for its implementation, especially in finding a suitable location, not necessarily in the center of big cities.

Hoai Thu (From Tokyo, Japan)

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/thu-tuong-gap-cac-tap-doan-lon-cua-nhat-ban-go-vuong-cho-2-du-an-ty-usd-20231216212756836.htm