Quang Tri seeks to strengthen economic ties with Thai localities

Quang Tri looks towards further economic relations with Thai localities, said Le Quang Tung, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, on August 3.

Quang Tri Provincial Party Committee’s Secretary Le Quang Tung meets Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Nikorndej Balankura. Photo: Tran Tuyen

Tung said that he hoped the Thai Embassy in Vietnam will help draw Thai investors and their businesses to Quang Tri.

“Key activities to be focused include renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, supply chain development, and facilitation of cooperation on the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC),” Tung told Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Nikorndej Balankura at the first “Meet Thailand” conference.

The Party chief of Quang Tri Province expected that Thai Embassy and the Ambassador will support local-to-local partnerships between Quang Tri and Thai localities, thus boosting the two nations’ bilateral relations.

“Quang Tri wants to enhance its relations with Thai provinces and cities, especially the seven northeastern localities that will benefit from the EWEC,” he said.

Quang Tri Provincial Party Committee’s Secretary Le Quang Tung presents a gift to Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Nikorndej Balankura. Photo: Tran Tuyen

Tung suggested that the Thai Embassy support Quang Tri to develop the plan on the cooperation between the province and Laos“Salavan Province and Thailand”s Ubon Ratchathani Province in an attempt to open EWEC-like economic corridor.

In addition, the Vietnamese official recommended that the two sides form a joint working team to discuss regulatory adjustments, connect the business communities of the two nations, and foster bilateral trade relations.

At the meeting, secretary Tung said that Quang Tri has been implementing key economic development projects such as the Quang Tri Southeast Economic Zone, a cross-border economic zone between the town of Lao Bao and Laos’ Densavan locality, the My Thuy Deepwater Port, the Quang Tri Airport, and route 15 connecting My Thuy Port to La Lay International Border Gate.

Thai delegates take a group photo with Quang Tri officials. Photo: Tran Tuyen

“These projects will channel the flow of investment from Thai localities to Quang Tri and other central coastal provinces in Vietnam in trade, tourism and investment.”

On his part, Thai Ambassador Nikorndej Balankura said that the “Meet Thailand” conference, gathering many participants and delegates, proves the good relations between Vietnam and Thailand in economy, politics and people exchange.

He strongly believed that a US$25 billion worth of bilateral trade targeted for 2025 is reachable, and that Thailand will become the fifth largest investor in Vietnam, rising from the current ninth.

The Thai official also hoped to foster relations with Quang Tri and other Vietnamese provinces in the northern and central coastal regions.

He promised that the embassy will draw Thai investors to Quang Tri, and expected that the local authorities will facilitate a good environment for Thai businesses and foster the two-way relations.

Thanh Truc - Huy Anh