PM urges Thai firms to grasp opportunities in Vietnam hinh anh 1At the event (Source: VNA)
 
Bangkok (VNA)Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has urged Thai firms to grasp opportunities arising from merger & acquisition activities and the equitisation of State-owned enterprises (SMEs) and their divestment in transport, infrastructure, food, agriculture, telecommunications, trade, services and construction in Vietnam. 

At a meeting with Thai enterprises in Bangkok on August 18 during his official visit to Thailand, Phuc said the Vietnamese economy is now worth more than 220 billion USD and the country is striving to meet basic criteria in the business environment, equivalent to ASEAN 4 level by 2020. Vietnam is also in the period of golden population with 60 percent of people in working age.

Thai business representatives thanked the Vietnamese government for creating favourable conditions for investors from Thailand and the ASEAN member states to join SMEs equitisation in the country.

They pledged to keep expanding their business operations in Vietnam in the fields of retail, food, farm produce manufacturing and processing, energy, tourism and transport.

Several companies said they are learning about Vietnam’s tourist attractions and want to link up with Vietnamese airlines to increase tourist arrivals in the two countries.

Receiving Chairman of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand Kornrasit Pakchotanon, PM Phuc asked for accelerating the construction of a thermal power plant in the central province of Quang Tri.

Pakchotanon pledged to ensure environment protection and use advanced technology during the process of construction.

Meeting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Group Tos Chirathivat, Phuc hailed the Central Group as one of the largest retailers in the region and is performing well in Vietnam. He also asked the group to bring more Vietnamese farm produce to Thai supermarkets.

The CEO said his company wants to liaison with Vietnamese partners to do business in hotel, tourism and retail, adding that the Central Group is ready to sell Vietnamese fruits in Thai supermarkets and develop agriculture in Vietnam.

During a reception for Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Kasikorn Bank (KBank) Banthoon Lamsam, the PM said the Vietnamese government wants KBank to continue partnering with the State Bank of Vietnam, ministries and agencies to share experience in settling bad debts and help firms overcome difficulties.

Lamsam said KBank plans to launch a financial support model for Vietnamese businesses, part of efforts to help the Vietnamese government achieve the goal of having 1 million firms by 2020.

Talking with an executive from Siam City Cement Public Company Limited (SCCC), the PM suggested SCCC continue investing in industrial projects and construction materials using modern technology, as well as transfer technology to Vietnamese partners.-VNA
VNA