Viet Nam and Thai land are biggest rice exporters in the world.— File Photo

BANGKOK (Biz Hub) — Bilateral relations between Viet Nam and Thailand can expect a boost in the areas of trade, investment and tourism, according to an official from the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The statement was made at a conference in Bangkok on Wednesday, co-organised by the ministry and the Vietnamese Trade Office in Thailand.

The forum aimed to promote investment opportunities in Viet Nam's central region.

Trinh Minh Van, director of the ministry's Investment Promotion Centre for Central Viet Nam, said the event would help Thai businesses understand Viet Nam's current investment opportunities and encourage further investment in the country.

Chokedee Kaewsang, Vice Secretary General of the Board of Investment (BoI) of Thailand, said Viet Nam's central region was an attractive destination for foreign investors thanks to its rapid economic growth and abundant natural resources.

The Thai Government is committed to encouraging businesses to invest in the region, he said.

The Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Ngo Duc Thang described the forum as a first step towards closer ties between localities and businesses in the central Viet Nam and Thai localities and investors.

He also emphasised the importance of conducting continuous trade promotion activities and fact-finding tours to speed up bilateral co-operation.

During the event, enterprises from both countries shared information and examined ways to establish partnerships at the forum.

Bilateral trade and investment has experienced significant gains in the past few years.

Thailand is currently Viet Nam's ninth largest source of foreign investment with 324 valid projects capitalised at approximately US$6.5 billion.

Trade turnover reached $7.8 billion in the January-October period, up 15 per cent year-on-year. — VNS