At the EWEC Investment-Trade-Tourism forum in Da Nang yesterday, he made it clear that the transportation corridor should help boost economic development in the EWEC.
 
Mr. Khiem said that the forum will create an opportunity for EWEC countries to fortify their cooperation, particularly after the 1,450km traffic systems of the four countries were connected, as well as strengthen their cooperation with other great sub-Mekong countries.
 
The Deputy PM said Thailand, the most developed country in the EWEC region, should play an active role in developing and promoting trade, tourism and investment along the highway.
 
He said goods from Laos, Myanmar and Thailand will flow into Viet Nam before being exported to other countries, while international tourists to central Viet Nam will continue to travel to Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.
 
The EWEC countries have developed transportation infrastructure, and the next steps should be the development and exchange of cultures, tourism and trade through shared strategies, said Sommai Phasee, deputy minister of finance and head of the Thai delegation at the forum.
 
He said complicated customs formalities are obstructing trade and transport among EWEC countries. Simplified formalities should be created for cross-border transport along the EWEC.
 
He pointed out that some agricultural products from Viet Nam and Thailand have been at the top of world exports, but EWEC countries have not worked together to further develop them.
 
Somsavat Lengsavat, standing deputy prime minister of Laos, said Laos and Viet Nam have discussed how to further reduce import tariffs on goods originating from their countries and have addressed and removed various barriers for trade promotion.

At the EWEC Investment-Trade-Tourism forum in Da Nang yesterday, he made it clear that the transportation corridor should help boost economic development in the EWEC.
 
Mr. Khiem said that the forum will create an opportunity for EWEC countries to fortify their cooperation, particularly after the 1,450km traffic systems of the four countries were connected, as well as strengthen their cooperation with other great sub-Mekong countries.
 
The Deputy PM said Thailand, the most developed country in the EWEC region, should play an active role in developing and promoting trade, tourism and investment along the highway.
 
He said goods from Laos, Myanmar and Thailand will flow into Viet Nam before being exported to other countries, while international tourists to central Viet Nam will continue to travel to Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.
 
The EWEC countries have developed transportation infrastructure, and the next steps should be the development and exchange of cultures, tourism and trade through shared strategies, said Sommai Phasee, deputy minister of finance and head of the Thai delegation at the forum.
 
He said complicated customs formalities are obstructing trade and transport among EWEC countries. Simplified formalities should be created for cross-border transport along the EWEC.
 
He pointed out that some agricultural products from Viet Nam and Thailand have been at the top of world exports, but EWEC countries have not worked together to further develop them.
 
Somsavat Lengsavat, standing deputy prime minister of Laos, said Laos and Viet Nam have discussed how to further reduce import tariffs on goods originating from their countries and have addressed and removed various barriers for trade promotion.

Source:  SGGP.