Thailand, Laos, Vietnam discussed cooperation

BUENG KAN, March 9 (TNA) -- Executives of nine Thai, Lao and Vietnamese provinces linked with Routes 8 and 12 had a meeting to discuss cooperation in Thailand's Bueng Kan province on Thursday. The meeting was organised at The One Hotel in the provincial seat. Participants were executives from Thailand's Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon and Nong Khai provinces; Lao provinces of Bolikhamsai and Khammouane; and Vietnamese provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh. Participants signed a memorandum of intent to cooperate with one another for the mutual growth of economy, trade, investment and tourism. They also organised a business matching session in which 15 pairs of operators were made with projected joint investment worth 150 million baht. The meeting acknowledged past cooperation including a student exchange program in Sakon Nakhon that welcomed 80 students from Laos and Vietnam. Participants mentioned many agricultural cooperation programs in Khammouane and projects to develop infrastructures and border checkpoints in Nong Khai. The meeting also discussed the 5th Thai-Lao friendship bridge project to link Thailand's Bueng Kan and Paksan of Laos and a new cultural centre that would be completed in Lak Sao of Laos in three years. (TNA)