Chairman of Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association Truong Hoang said since upgrading Vietnam-Thailand relation to strategic partnership in 2013, trade-economic exchange increases 10-13% per year, Thailand has become one of the leading trade partners of Vietnam.

In HCMC, Thailand has now 148 6 investment projects with a total investment capital of US$246, 8 million. In trade, in the first 10 months of 2015, two way trade between Thailand and HCMC reached US$2, 1 billion.

Currently, Thailand and Vietnam are promoting big projects in Binh Dinh, Quang Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau; strengthening tourism – cultural exchange – sports connectivity programs; establishing Vietnamese language centers in Thailand and Thai language centers in Vietnam, etc. Both sides strive to increase two way trade to US$ 20 billion in 2020.

Mrs. Panpimon Suwannaponge, Thai Consul General in HCMC said the ceremony not only pays homage to his Majesty King but also shows a good and close relation between Vietnam and Thailand at all levels. She believed that with determinations of the Governments and Peoples of both countries, co-operation relations between Vietnam, including HCMC, and Thailand will further achieve good results and be suitable with benefits and aspirations of both sides.

At the ceremony, Consulate General of Thailand gave nearly VND100 million and US$1,700 to Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association and Vietnam Union of Friendship Associations to grant scholarships to disabled children and to build houses of gratitude.

HCM CITYWEB