The first “Meet Thailand” conference vital to Vietnam-Thailand comprehensive relations

Thai investors have set up seven projects in Quang Tri, with a total investment of more than US$100 million.

The “Meet Thailand” conference is the key milestone to bolster the cooperation between Quang Tri Province and Thai localities, said officials on August 4.

Delegates attend the “Meet Thailand” conference on August 4 in Quang Tri Province. Photo: Tran Tuyen

Quang Tri and Thai provinces sharing the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) have developed good relations, and bilateral relations in trade, tourism, and investment have been dynamic, said Vo Van Hung, Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee.

Addressing the conference, Hung said that Thai investors have set up seven projects in Quang Tri, with a total investment of more than US$100 million. The province has visited and worked with Thai local authorities to explore the best of the EWEC and strengthened the relations with Thailand“s Mukdahan Province and Laos” Savannakhet Province.

Assistant to the Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nguyen Minh Vu, delivers his opening remarks. Photo: Tran Tuyen

In local-to-local relationships, the province has partnered with other domestic and cross-border provinces to maximize mutual strengths on the EWEC and Para EWEC routes, which run through Lao Bao and La Lay border gates.

Quang Tri and Mukdahan have had 20 years of friendship and partnership, and the two sides’ relations have become stronger and insightful. This year, the province will ratify a cooperative agreement with the Thai province of Ubon Ratchathani to open a new phase of mutual development.

In addition, hundreds of local students have been studying in Thailand-based schools and universities, creating the key human resources to bolster Quang Tri’s relations with Thai localities.

“The ‘Meet Thailand’ conference enables Vietnamese and Thai companies and organizations to discuss their issues and seek better collaborative opportunities,” Hung said.

Vo Van Hung, Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, delivers his speech at the conference. Photo: Tran Tuyen

“We hope that Thai businesses, with their know-how and experiences in finance, corporate governance, and international collaboration, will accompany the Vietnamese to enhance the two countries’ relations.”

“Quang Tri will provide the utmost support for Thai investors when they come to the province. We expect to receive support to improve the performances in industrials, tourism, high-tech agriculture, port services and logistics, urban economy, and waste and water management,” the provincial leadership said.

“The conference marks a great advancement for both nations to celebrate 47 years of diplomatic relations (1976-2023) and 10 years of Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership (2013-2023),” said Nguyen Minh Vu, Assistant to the Vietnamese Foreign Minister.

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

The first conference is an opportunity for Quang Tri and other Vietnamese localities to draw the attention of Thai investors and businesses, he said, adding it will assist Vietnam and its central coastal province of Quang Tri to strengthen the partnerships with Thai partners.

According to Thai Ambassador to Vietnam, Nikorndej Balankura, the timing of the conference matches the “Three Connects” strategy that the two governments have agreed on to boost bilateral economic relations.

Key focuses are to develop industrial supply chains, connect small- and medium-sized enterprises to local authorities, combine Thailand“s circular-green development policies with Vietnam”s green growth strategy, he said.

Thai investors hold social responsibility and sustainable development in high regard when doing business in other countries, the ambassador said, expecting both governments realize the solutions and enhance the growth of the two nations and the whole Sub Mekong Delta.

Supply chain development

At the conference, participants agreed that ASEAN nations, especially those in the Sub Mekong Delta region, should pay attention to the development of supply chains.

A panel discussion at the conference. Photo: Tran Tuyen

From social perspectives, supply chain development requires close management and collaboration between regional governments, Boonsub Panichakarn from Thailand’s Naresuan University said.

ASEAN nations lack information sharing, value-added sources, and connectivity, he said while urging the governments to resolve those deficiencies to foster mutual growth.

Worawut Smuthkakin, Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported that there are now 83 projects that are especially accessible for ASEAN member states, and there have been some talks on the development and expansion of investment among the nations in the Sub Mekong Delta region.

Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People“s Committee, Hoang Nam, visits Thai businesses” counters at the conference. Photo: Tran Tuyen

“The top priority must be the development of supply chains and production lines as the need of connectivity between ASEAN nations has become more critical since the Covid-19 pandemic,” Assistant to the Vietnamese foreign minister’s assistant Vu said.

“In the near future, the two sides should work to make Vietnam one of the key links for Thai companies“supply chains, especially in the production of food, agriculture, apparel, electronic materials, and chemicals to sustain the two sides” production capacity and benefit,” he said.

Leaderships of Nghe An Province connect with Thai delegates at the conference. Photo: Tran Tuyen

According to Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Nikorndej, the “Meet Thailand” conference will be the first step that Vietnam and Thailand take to increase bilateral trade value to US$25 billion in 2025, and make the latter the fifth largest investor to Vietnam.

He hoped that the second “Meet Thailand” conference will be held in 2024 on the fifth anniversary of the Vietnam-Thailand sustainable strategic partnership, and measures should be taken to lift the cooperation of 19 Thai and Vietnamese provinces and cities based on the “Three Connects” strategy.

Thanh Truc - Huy Anh