In his opening remarks, Chairman of Thailand - Vietnam Friendship Association Prachuab Chaiyasan expressed his desire to make cooperation more practical and proved by specific economic achievements.

Chairman of Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association Ta Quang Ngoc said Thailand is now Vietnam's largest trading partner in ASEAN and ranks 5^th in top 10 largest investors. The two countries are targeting USD 20 billion two-way trade turnover by 2020.

Mr. Ta Quang Ngoc wished that this event will be a good occasion for business of the two countries to seek cooperation and investment opportunities or business expansion. At the same time, it also contributes to promote economic cooperation, exchanges between people of the two countries.

President of Thai – Vietnam Business Councils Sanan Angubolkul said the important matter is real achievements, not just words. On behalf of the Thai - Vietnamese Business community, Mr. Sanan affirmed that he always welcomes and is ready to create all business and investment opportunities for Vietnamese firms in Thailand.

Ms. Tran Thi Thanh My, Commercial Counselor, said the Thai government paid special attention to promoting investment abroad and encouraged businesses to invest in 12 business areas such as logistics, aviation, biology, and education; attracting investment to the USD50 billion East Economic Corridor project in 5 years.

On the Thai side, Mr. Rakesh Singh, representative of the Thai-Vietnamese Business Council, said that the US-China trade war will open up opportunities for business expansion for both Vietnam and Thailand as there is a shift investment and value chain.

The annual Vietnam – Thailand Strategic Cooperation and Investment Promotion Conference aims at creating conditions and opportunities for enterprises of the two countries to meet, exchange experiences, seek partners and understand the market.

Vietnamese - Thai goods were introduced at the Conference

VNF