The conference was organized by the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Thai Embassy in Vietnam.
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| Mr. Phan Quy Phuong (far left) speaking at the discussion session |
Cooperation in many fields
Vice chairman Phan Quy Phuong informed about the role and position of the East-West Economic Corridor in the development of the province, emphasizing the strategic location of Chan May - Lang Co Economic Zone, which is the highlight on this economic corridor; in addition, Chan May deep-water port is the nearest sea gateway to transport goods, expand investment, trade, and tourism, etc., between Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and other countries from East Asia and all over the world, acting as one of the important gates.
Thua Thien Hue is focusing resources on investment and development of infrastructure and connected transport systems in order to restore and expand this important corridor. Mr. Phuong also mentioned that the province has just completed the upgrade of the international terminal at Phu Bai International Airport, with a total construction area of about 22,380m2, capable of receiving 5 million passengers per year. Chan May Port has also been invested to complete the construction of 3 wharves with a total length of 910m, capable of receiving cargo ships with a tonnage of up to 70,000 tons. The province is also focusing on developing transport infrastructure along the East-West Economy Corridor.
Regarding cooperation with localities of Thailand, Mr. Phan Quy Phuong said that Thua Thien Hue has signed a cooperation relationship with Ubon Ratchathani province and Bangkok; at the same time, has a long-standing cooperative relationship with many other localities in the Northeast region of Thailand. Thereby, Thua Thien Hue has implemented many cultural promotion activities, exchanged experiences in tourism, training cooperation, etc. Especially, from October 21-24, 2022, Thua Thien Hue has successfully organized the charter flight Hue - Bangkok - Hue. This activity aims to initially restore the Thai tourist market to Hue.
Mr. Phuong informed that at present, in the province, there are 11 active Thai investment projects with a total registered capital of US$161.5 million, mainly in the field of aquaculture and seafood processing; producing solar power, wood chips and forestry tree nurseries, etc. The import-export turnover between Thua Thien Hue province and Thailand in 2022 reached US$26.54 million, exports reached US$4.54 million, and imports reached US$22.00 million. Products and items exported to Thai market are mainly garments, yarns, machinery and equipment, PP woven bags, etc. “We want to call and attract investors, distributors, and exporters from the provinces of Thailand", Mr. Phuong emphasized.
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| Passengers and Thai survey team on a charter flight from Bangkok to Thua Thien Hue in October 2022 |
Enhance connection
Within the framework of the conference, on behalf of provincial leaders, Mr. Phan Quy Phuong proposed a few measures to promote cooperation on the East-West Economic Corridor between Thua Thien Hue and Thailand. Accordingly, the province wishes to call Thai investors in the field of processing technology for agricultural, aquatic and seafood products; industrial park infrastructure; economic zones, clean energy, renewable energy; travel services; hotel and restaurant management; supporting industries; and production of consumer goods.
Strengthening the connection between Thua Thien Hue's manufacturing enterprises and Thai distribution and retail businesses and promoting linkages in the supply chain, associated with the good implementation of regulations on quality, food safety, and traceability of goods are also needed. To encourage businesses, the Thua Thien Hue Business Association and Thai localities are to strengthen cooperation and expand the commercial scale for products in which each side has advantages; provide and share timely information on regulations, trade management policies, operation situation, regulations related to customs clearance, testing, quarantine, traceability for exported and imported goods from Vietnam to Thai localities to promptly support businesses.
Mr. Phuong also suggested encouraging, creating favorable conditions and giving incentives for businesses of the two sides to participate in trade promotion activities such as fairs, trade seminars, shopping festivals, whereby, gradually organizing regular meetings to facilitate the consumption of key products, OCOP products, and agricultural and aquatic products of Thua Thien Hue's strengths to consumers and into the distribution system, trade centers, and retail supermarkets of Thailand and vice versa.
Regarding the plan to promote transport exploitation in general and exploitation of tourist attraction by air in particular; logistics operation plan after the new Phu Bai International Airport comes into operation, Mr. Phuong wants countries, territories, the business communities working in international and domestic tourism services to join hands and coordinate to provide solutions to stimulate tourism demand for the Charter Fly model to support travel businesses to bring MICE, Caravan, Famtrip, Presstrip to Hue and central provinces; promoting new types and products of tourism; contributing to building the image of Hue associated with the titles: "Hue - the City of Festival", "Hue - the Capital of Ao Dai", "Hue – the Culinary Capital", "Hue – A Green City", etc., thereby, making Hue a major tourist destination of the country, affirming its position and promoting the socio-economic development of Thua Thien Hue.
Within the framework of the conference, there are 4 main activities including (1) organizing the display and promotion of images of culture, tourism, investment promotion and typical products of Quang Tri province, and Thai enterprises; (2) visiting a number of economic, industrial and cultural establishments in Quang Tri province; (3) meeting and connecting internally between partners of Quang Tri province and Thailand; and (4) organizing the conference "Meeting Thailand" between the partners of Vietnam and Thailand.