Quang Tri – vital hub on East-West Economic Corridor with Thailand

The “Connecting Quang Tri - Thailand” event was held today [August 3], with the theme “Quang Tri – a convergence and development hub on the East-West Economic Corridor with Thailand”, marking the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership and 47th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Establishing bond connecting East-West Economic Corridor

In his welcome speech, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People“s Committee Hoang Nam highlighted Quang Tri”s significant geopolitical and economic position in the central region of Vietnam. The province is strategically located on the North-South Economic Corridor, and it plays a crucial role as a “bridgehead” province on the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC), which is the shortest and most favorable route connecting ASEAN countries, including Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam, to the East Sea.

The EWEC also serves as the shortest route linking the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. To leverage its position on the EWEC, Nam said Quang Tri is actively investing in developing transportation infrastructure, such as a new airport, seaport, and highway.

Overview of the “Connecting Quang Tri - Thailand” event. Photo: Tran Tuyen

These investments aim to facilitate trade and investment flows, promoting the region's development potential. Currently, Quang Tri has 19 valid foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, amounting to over US$2.5 billion in total registered capital.

Among them, there are seven FDI projects from Thai investors, with a combined registered capital exceeding $109 million. However, given the province's vast development space, the potential of Thai businesses, and the aspirations of both sides, the number and scale of investment projects from Thailand in Quang Tri are yet to fully reflect the opportunities available, he continued.

Quang Tri's leaders at the event. Photo: Tran Tuyen

According to Nam, Quang Tri is committed to enhancing its investment and business environment to attract investment and boost trade and tourism. The province is focused on several key tasks, including strategic planning and infrastructure development to attract investments. This involves the establishment of essential infrastructure like My Thuy deep-sea seaport, Quang Tri Airport, North-South expressway through Quang Tri, National Highway 15D from La Lay International Border Gate to My Thuy seaport, Cam Lo - Lao Bao highway, and coastal road connecting to the East-West Economic Corridor.

Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Nikorndej Balankura at the event. Photo: Tran Tuyen

Furthermore, Quang Tri is dedicated to improving social infrastructure, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, commercial establishments, and international-standard hotels and resorts. Nam noted that the province is streamlining administrative procedures, adopting a “One focal point” approach, and prioritizing efficient governance and service to foster economic development.

Chairman of the Quang Tri People's Committee Vo Van Hung at the discussion session. Photo: Tran Tuyen

“Continuous support is provided to businesses and investors throughout their investment journey, from research and licensing to operational activities, with a focus on promptly addressing any issues and challenges,” Nam said. Due to its potential, advantages, and proactive policy reforms to enhance the investment climate, Nam said Quang Tri has become an attractive destination for investors, including Thai investors.

Their participation is seen as crucial in maximizing the region's potential and forming “a strong bond connecting the East-West Economic Corridor” between Quang Tri and Thailand in the vast Mekong sub-region.

Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Province People's Committee Hoang Nam. Photo: Tran Tuyen

Supporting sister-city relation between Quang Tri and UbonRatchathani

Highlighting the favorable geographical positions of Quang Tri and Thailand, which allows for a 3-4hour travel time from MukdahanProvince to the Lao Bao International Border Gate, Thai Ambassador in VietnamNikorndejBalankura emphasized that Quang Tri holds strategic importance for cooperation in politics, economy, and people-to-people connections, including tourism, education, and culture.

Recognizing the significance of strengthening economic connectivity between Thailand and Vietnam at all levels, especially at the local level, Balankura said previous connections in the fields of economy, politics, education, tourism, and culture between Thailand and Quang Tri have yielded positive results.

Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Nikorndej Balankura. Photo: Tran Tuyen

Based on the promotion of the existing twinning relationship agreements between Quang Tri and Mukdahan provinces, and the organization of a cooperation conference involving Quang Tri, Savannakhet, and Mukdahan provinces, Balankura affirmed Thailand's support for the establishment of a sister relationship between Quang Tri and UbonRatchathaniProvince in 2023. “This initiative marks an important milestone in the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Thailand and Vietnam,” he said.

Balankura expressed hope that the Program “Connecting Quang Tri - Thailand” would serve as a platform to better understand the potential of Quang Tri Province, paving the way for future cooperative relations in various aspects.

Signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement between Quang Tri's Department of Foreign Affairs and Thailand Business Association in Vietnam. Photo: Tran Tuyen

Encouraging investment opportunities from Thailand

During the program, representatives from Thai agencies, localities, businesses, and Quang Tri provided an overview of investment attraction, preferential policies, planning directions, and investment opportunities in economic and industrial zones.

Additionally, discussions covered the potential for developing transport and logistics infrastructure in Quang Tri through the EWEC and Para-East-West Economic Corridor (Para-EWEC). There were also proposals for trade and tourism cooperation along the EWEC and plans to collaborate in the exploitation and operation of transport warehouses at the Lao Bao International Border Gate.

Chairman of Quang Tri People's Committee Vo Van Hung. Photo: Tran Tuyen

During the program, the delegates put forward suggestions for the development of road transport to facilitate increased trade in goods and emphasized the importance of human resource training to prepare for future investment opportunities.

Delegates at the event. Photo: Tran Tuyen

To strengthen the cooperation relationship between Thailand and Quang Tri, a cooperation signing ceremony took place between the Department of Foreign Affairs of Quang Tri and the Thai Business Association in Vietnam.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Vo Van Hung, highlighted that in 2023, Vietnam would commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the EWEC, spanning 1,450 km across Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. The EWEC passes through seven provinces in Thailand, including Tak, Sukhothai, Kalasin, Phitsanulok, KhonKaen, Yasothon, and Mukdahan, while in Vietnam, it runs through Quang Tri, ThuaThien Hue, and Danang. Over the past 25 years, the EWEC has evolved into an effective and dynamic cooperation mechanism, leaving a significant impact on the economic development and socio-economic landscape of the regions along its path.

Quang Tri, in particular, has made remarkable achievements over the 25-year journey of cooperation and development along the EWEC. Notably, there have been significant advancements in technical and economic infrastructure, increasing synchronization and modernization in road and sea transport infrastructure, energy, production, distribution, and consumption.

Quang Tri Chairman Vo Van Hung expressed his hope that the “Connecting Quang Tri - Thailand” event will begin stronger, more substantial, and effective cooperation and development between Vietnam and Thailand, especially between Quang Tri and Thai localities and businesses.

Recognizing the significant potential and rich experience of planners, investors, the business community, and localities in Thailand, Chairman Hung believes that the future cooperation between the two sides will deepen and grow even closer in the times ahead.

He further affirmed Quang Tri's commitment to providing the most favorable conditions for Thai investors, businesses, and people seeking opportunities for cooperation, investment, development, and tourism in the province.

Chairman Hung also stressed the importance of various departments, agencies, sectors, and localities focusing on providing guidance, policies, programs, and projects to seize opportunities for cooperation, investment, and tourism development in Thailand proactively and effectively.

Ngoc Mai - Thanh Truc