Tokyo (VNA) - More than 100 Japanese scholars, economists and entrepreneurs gathered at a seminar on February 4 to get an insight into Viet Nam ’s economic development and investment environment.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Phu Binh highlighted the country’s socio-economic achievements last year as well as its development prospects for 2008.

The diplomat spoke highly of Japan ’s support and assistance to Viet Nam ’s national construction and development, and affirmed that the Government of Viet Nam will create more favourable conditions for Japanese investors.

Speeches delivered at the workshop all appreciated Viet Nam ’s successes in maintaining a political stability, hunger elimination and poverty reduction, international integration and stock market development.

Participants emphasised Viet Nam ’s rapid and stable economic growth, record foreign investment and growing trade value in recent years.

In particular, they applauded Viet Nam ’s all-out efforts to maintain sustainable development, narrow the income gap between regions and areas and promote environmental protection, saying that those are important foundations for the country’s successes in the future.

However, researchers and entrepreneurs also pointed out tardy administrative reform, high inflation and low disbursement of foreign investment capital as major shortcomings of the Southeast Asian nation that require greater efforts in the years to come.

Pundits forecast that Viet Nam will continue to retain high economic growth in 2008 and the following years.

The event was co-hosted by the Embassy of Viet Nam in Japan , the Japan Institute for Viet Nam Economic Research and the Mitsubishi Research Institute.-Enditem