The second business conference between Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) and India wrapped up in New Delhi on December 12.

During two days of working, participants discussed and agreed to loosen the granting of visas for citizens from CLMV and encourage Indian tourists to travel to these nations, promote people-to-people exchange through cultural activities, finalise bilateral tax agreements and establish an ASEAN-India Trade and Investment Centre.

They were also unanimous in completing negotiations on a regional comprehensive economic partnership on schedule, upgrading infrastructure to improve land, waterway and airway links, simplifying customs procedures in both India and CLMV countries, and developing logistics services surrounding the Mekong-India Economic Corridor.

At the discussions, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai and Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh made important proposals on strengthening multi-faceted cooperation between India with CLMV in general and Vietnam in particular, especially in economics and trade.

To multiply trade turnover between Vietnam and India, Thanh said that the role of the two business communities is extremely important and essential, in addition to the governments’ policies and orientations.

Speaking at the closing session, Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Anil Wadhwa stressed the necessity to enhance trade between India and CLMV nations, which has not been fully tapped, by strengthening geographical connectivity between them.

He expressed hope that the Myanmar-India-Thailand tripartite highway will be linked to Vietnam in the future.-VNA