At the meeting, Mr. Katsuro Nagai said that Metro Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien) is under construction in HCMC by ODA from JICA and the State’s budget, this Metro line is expected to be operated in 2020.

At the Ben Thanh station (District 1), Japanese enterprises want to develop underground commercial facilities, he said that given approval of HCMC, these projects will be constructed to bring more economic values but cause no environmental impacts, he hoped authority of HCMC to give more support for Japanese enterprises to participate into research and investment.

For Suoi Tien station (District 9), Mr. Katsuro Nagai said that Tokyu Corp (Japan) also wishes to co-operate with Saigon Transportation Mechanical Corporation (SAMCO) to develop facilities around Suoi Tien station.

In his part, Mr. Le Hoang Quan said that HCMC is focusing on completing and putting the Metro 1 into operation. For request of Mr. Katsuro Nagai on development of underground commercial facilities and other facilities around Suoi Tien station, Mr. Quan said that HCMC will give priority to Japanese contractors. He also suggested both side need to closely co-operate and effectively exploit these projects to better serve society.