Thailand, Lao PDR hold investment seminar

UBON RATCHATHANI, Dec 23 (TNA) - Laos and neighbouring Thailand have held a seminar, aimed at publicising a research on an investment cooperation and cross-border trade on agricultural products, between the Thai northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani and its friendship Lao province of Champasak. The seminar held at Ubon Ratchathani University was presided over by Tej Bunnag, chairman of Thailand-Laos subcommittee on Education and Research under the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Thai-Lao Joint Commission Cooperation, and Laos’ Deputy Foreign Minister Bounkerd Sangsomsak. Both sides found during the seminar that investment cooperation and cross border trade on agricultural products between the two cities are on the increase. On the positive side, both sides also found that the joint investment has helped decreased illegal entry into Thailand by Lao people. However, goods prices still pose a risk. The objective of the seminar was also to listen and exchange information between the two countries in a bid to further strengthen relations between them. The two nations have earlier signed a memorandum of understanding which allows Thai businessmen to invest and promote the growing of corn for feedstuff, sugarcane and tapioca in Laos. Mr. Bounkerd said the study would help serve future studies for other Thailand border provinces with Lao PDR. (TNA)