Forum opened to boost trade ties among Vietnam, Laos, Thailand

QTO - A forum connecting investment, trade, and tourism among Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand opened on April 10, 2023, in Pakse City, Laos" Champasak Province.

Delegates at the forum connecting investment, trade, and tourism of Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand on April 10. Photo: P.M.H

Held by the Consulate General of Vietnam in Pakse, the Vietnam E-Commerce Association in collaboration with Champasak provincial government, the forum marked the attendance of Secretary and Governor of Champasak Province Vilayvong Butdakham; Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People“s CommitteePhan Van Mai; Chairman of Quang Tri People”s Committee Vo Van Hung; Consul General of Vietnam in Pakse Nguyen Van Trung and leaders of businesses and investors of the three countries.

In the opening remarks, Secretary and Governor of Champasak Vilayvong Butdakham said Laos" Southwest province of Champasakis a locality bordering regional countries and home to investment and trade connections. Covering Pakse City and nine districts, Champasak covers an area of 15,415 square km. It shares the borderline with Thailand and Cambodia. It borders Salavan Province to the north, Sekong Province to the northeast, Attapeu Province to the east, PreahVihear and Stung Treng provinces of Cambodia to the south, and Ubon Ratchathani Province of Thailand to the west. The Mekong River forms part of the border with neighboring Thailand.

With its strategic location as a central gateway, Vietnam“s cities and provinces have made significant contributions to Champasak”s socio-economic development in recent years.

Vilayvong Butdakham, secretary and governor of Champasak Province, wished that the delegates exchange information on political issues, policies, and investment incentives through this Forum to deepen trade, investment, and tourism cooperation between the provinces of Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand in the future.

Chairman of the Quang Tri People"s Committee Vo Van Hung addresses the forum held in Laos on April 9. Photo: P.M.H

Speaking at the Forum, Chairman of the Quang Tri People"s Committee Vo Van Hung emphasized that with the motto of hospitality, respect for partners, understanding of partners, and desire for effective development cooperation, Quang Tri always opens the door to welcome both domestic and foreign investors, particularly in the fields of agriculture, processing industry, renewable energy, trade, services, and tourism. Quang Tri pledges to provide advantageous terms to investors and guarantee future sustainable development.

Hung said that Quang Tri is the starting point of the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC), parallel to the East-West Economic Corridor (PARA EWEC) connecting Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. With two international border gates, Lao Bao and La Lay, Quang Tri has a strategic position on the East-West Economic Corridor, which is considered Laos" gateway to the Pacific Ocean. These are fantastic opportunities for Quang Tri Province to encourage communication and collaboration with the Northeast regions of Thailand and Southern and Central Laos, particularly Champasak Province.

The construction of new roads, airports, and seaports in Quang Tri will complement the country"s strategic transport artery network and ease the flow of investment, trade, and tourism between the provinces of Laos, Thailand, and Quang Tri and the central provinces of Vietnam through the La Lay international border gate.

Quang Tri has concluded that Champasak Province is a strategic area where it is possible to work together effectively in various industries, including tourism, trade, and agriculture, and to increase the effectiveness of the 15D route from the La Lay international border gate to Quang Tri. The two provinces have also agreed to forge a cordial cooperation relationship and assist each another as they move forward.

At the Forum, organizations and localities of Vietnam and Laos signed cooperation agreements and minutes in the presence of local leaders of Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Previously, the Quang Tri delegation led by Deputy Head of the National Assembly"s Deputies –Quang Tri Hoang Duc Thang visited leaders of Champasak Province on the occasion of the Bunpimay, the traditional New Year of the Laotians.

On behalf of the QuangTri authorities, Hoang Duc Thang wishes the provincial leaders and people a happy new year full of joy, happiness, and success.

For his part, Secretary and Governor VilayvongButdakham expressed his pleasure to receive the delegation of Quang Tri on the occasion of the Bunpimay and the Forum to promote investment, trade, and tourism in the three countries of Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. Vilayvong Butdakham also highly appreciated the cooperation between the two provinces over the past time, especially QuangTri"s support in making urban planning and promoting trade on the East-West Economic Corridor among Champhasak, Salavan, and Quang Tri.

On this occasion, Hoang Duc Thang offered a gift worth VND100 million (US$4,300) to Champhasak Province.

During the stay in Laos, the Quang Tri delegation attended the opening of an exhibition held in the framework of the Connection Forum that promotes investment, trade, and tourism in Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. The exhibition gathers 40 booths, half from Vietnam and half from Laos. Typical products of Vietnam come from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Khanh Hoa, and the Vietnam E-commerce Association. Laos has 20 stalls from four provinces, including Champasak, Salavan, Sekong, and Attapeu. The exhibition displays products in mechanical engineering, handicrafts, biological products, food, and garment, among others. It took place on April 9-10.

Pham My Hanh – Linh Pham