On April 5 at the Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi, the Launching Ceremony of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Viet Nam “ThaiCham” was held in hybrid format.

Mr. Nikorndej Balankura, Ambassador of Thailand to Vietnam gave the opening remark, stressing that the establishment of ThaiCham was among the milestone achievements of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Vietnam in 2021.

Mr. Nikorndej Balankura, Ambassador of Thailand to Viet Nam gave the opening remark. Photo: VNT/ Zoey Nguyen

The Thai Ambassador to Vietnam also spoke on his vision for ThaiCham:

"I envision 3 different yet complementary roles (of ThaiCham): First, ThaiCham as a ‘Catalyst’ for Thai investors in Viet Nam, and will play more active role along with the VCCI and other Foreign Chambers in Vietnam Business Forum (VBF). Second, ThaiCham as a ‘Breeding ground’ and ‘Spring board’ for our small and medium sized businesses entering Vietnamese market. Third, ThaiCham as a ‘Bridge builder’ that connects our businesses through the supply chain, and brings our two countries closer in sub-regional, regional and multilateral cooperation."

The Director-General of Foreign Investment Agency Do Nhat Hoang via online panel also delivered a speech. Photo: VNT/ Zoey Nguyen

The Director-General of Foreign Investment Agency Do Nhat Hoang via online panel also spoke about the much-needed support from the ThaiCham, especially to provide information for Thai businesses on Vietnam's economic policies, business conditions, and business environment.

"I congratulate the launching of ThaiCham in Vietnam. The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Foreign Investment Agency always commit to closely accompany and coordinate with ThaiCham and the Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi."

Ambassador of Thailand to Viet Nam, President of ThaiCham and distinguished guests at the ceremony. Photo: VNT/ Zoey Nguyen

Ambassador of Thailand to Viet Nam, President of ThaiCham and distinguished guests at the ceremony. Photo: VNT/ Zoey Nguyen

The President of ThaiCham delivered a speech. Photo: VNT/ Zoey Nguyen

The President of ThaiCham Piyapong Jriyasetapong delivered a thank-you speech to the Ambassador, the Royal Thai Embassy team and the guests, reaffirming the significance of this milestone for the cooperation between Vietnam, Chambers and Thai businesses as well as tightening relationship of Vietnam and Thailand.

"In 2021, the two countries celebrated the 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, and one of the symbolic achievements is the establishment of the ThaiCham on 1 December 2021. ThaiCham, formally known as the Thai Business Association (TBA), was set up to promote Thai trade and investments in Viet Nam, as well as create even more conducive environment for the two countries to achieve the bilateral trade target of US $25 billion in 2025 as proposed by both Leaders," said Mr. Piyapong, the President of ThaiCham.

Mr. Piyapong believes ThaiCham will become a center for sustainable development of Vietnamese and Thailand business community. Photo: VNT/ Zoey Nguyen

Speaking to Vietnam Times reporter, Mr. Piyapong affirmed the missions and visions of ThaiCham:

"ThaiCham is a private, NGO organization that promotes economic cooperation, trading and investment in Viet Nam together with developing business networking and Thai presence to strengthen Thai businesses community in Vietnam. The Chamber strives to become a center for Thai businesses to gather and do networking, to share concerns about the obstacles they face when doing businesses in Vietnam."

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, ThaiCham has been working with other organizations, and chambers to help Thai business community to overcome the negative affects, especially with donating vaccinations to those in need. In the long run, ThaiCham will focus on building trust and respect between Vietnamese and Thailand business community."

The President believed that the business exchange and the people-to-people exchange are inseparable and the Chamber always try to support the close relationship between businesses and people of the two countries.

As Thailand is chairing APEC throughout the year 2022, both the Ambassador of Thailand to Viet Nam and the President of ThaiCham agreed that the launch of ThaiCham will help supporting the realization of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and advancing the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) to promote safer, more seamless and inclusive cross-border business mobility in the APEC region.

Mr. Chalermchai Pornsirripiyakool - Head of Expansion of Central Retail - the No.1 Retail Company in 2021 by Vietnam Report - expressed high hope towards the work of ThaiCham:

"Central Retail in Vietnam has been working with other organizations and chambers in the past but with the launch of ThaiCham, we hope to get more support from the Government to work on bigger projects, get better resources and to serve the community, and even to help the Thai businesses and the peers."

Mr. Chalermchai Pornsirripiyakool - Head of Expansion of Central Retail in Vietnam at the event.

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