(VEN) - A delegation of businesses active in information technology led by Osamu Nakayama, the president of the Kansai Information System Industry Association (KISA), paid a visit to Ho Chi Minh City last week and attended a commercial exchange with Vietnamese businesses. On this occasion, Vietnam Economic News' reporter Ngoc Long spoke with Osamu Nakayama.
Could you please tell us about the purpose of KISA business delegation's visit?
In January 2010, the governor of Osaka led a Japanese business delegation to pay a visit to Vietnam and had a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City to foster relations between Osaka-based businesses and Vietnamese companies. In this spirit, our delegation of leading Osaka businesses operating in information technology has come to Vietnam for the purpose of broadening co-operation in information technology by developing software in construction, surveying, consultancy, industrial electronic devices, and safety systems; implementing information technology projects and training workers. In particular managers of leading information technology businesses want to study Vietnam's information technology activities and look for partners and dealers in Vietnam.
What do you think about Vietnamese information technology?
We went to Hanoi and visited universities, the Center of Information Technology and the Center of Software Development and found that the standard of Vietnamese information technology work-force is increasing. The growth rate of Vietnam's information and technology is reaching 30 - 40 percent per year. It is very encouraging. I believe that Vietnam will gain much success in this field.
Why has KISA chosen Vietnam as a place to boost relations?
KISA includes more than 350 members in information technology. They co-operate with many other partners. For me, the reason for choosing Vietnam is the similar culture. Having similar cultures will bring many advantages. In addition, Vietnamese are very diligent and always ready to work overtime to deliver goods punctually. Finally, Vietnam has had many high-quality products.
What are the obstacles which prevent the two sides from fostering increased co-operation?
The biggest is language. To overcome this obstacle, we have programs which improve Japanese for Vietnamese businesses. In addition, the difference in level of ability is another difficulty. Thus, co-operation has to be implemented gradually to raise Vietnamese business standards.
What does KISA want from this visit to Vietnam?
I hope that this visit will create a good opportunity for information technology businesses in Osaka and in Vietnam to strengthen relations in the future. KISA has cooperation agreements with eight countries such as Canada, China, Sweden, Mongolia and Russia. KISA hopes to obtain agreement with Vietnam. During this visit, our businesses will study the Vietnamese information technology market, demand and ability and make them public to other member in KISA./.
Ngoc Long
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