(VOVworld) – A workshop to introduce the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund was held in Hanoi on Thursday.

ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh said since the ASEAN Community was established ASEAN has become one of the most successful models for connecting member economies, contributing to ASEAN’s peaceful, stable development. Praising Japan as a long-term partner and supporter of the ASEAN Community, Mr. Minh said the Fund, established in 2006, was intended to facilitate the Initiative for ASEAN Integration. By April, 2016, the fund had received more than 630 million USD with more than 180 projects implemented in many areas. Mr. Minh said: “The project has made significant contribution to the success of ASEAN’s process of capacity building and integration in many important areas, such as disaster management, counter-terrorism, economic declaration, infrastructure development, maritime cooperation, health care, youth exchange, and language training, among the many others, as the Ministers and investors have mentioned. Japan has also provided strong support to the strengthening of regional institutions, such as the ASEAN coordinating center for monitoring system on the disaster management or the AA center which was established on 17^th November, 2011, and establishment of integrated formation in education, technology system.”

Head of the Japanese mission to ASEAN Kazuo Sunaga briefed delegates on the scale, goals and latest activities of the fund. He said the provision of full information to partners is crucial for Japan to continue its support for Vietnam and promote the effective of the fund.