Officials from Thailand and Laos have discussed on the development plan of the special economic zones, aiming to increase trade value by 1.5 times in the next three years.

The Thai Minister of Commerce Gen Chatchai Sarikulya, along with delegates from Thai government and private sector, joined the Lao Minister to the Government's Office Bounpheng Mounphoxay and Savannakhet Governor Souphanh Keomixay at Savannakhet province in a recent discussion on the development of the special economic zone as well as trade and investment expansion.

Both sides arranged the border trade promotion plan prior to the integration of the ASEAN Economic Community by the end of this year to increase the border trade value of Thailand - Laos at the Second Friendship Bridge border crossing by 1.5 times within three years.

The trade value between Mukdahan province in Thailand and Savannakhet province in Laos is estimated to be at 151 billion baht in 2014.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce has joined hands with Mukdahan and Savannakhet to hold the border trade fair in Mukdahan during March 5-9, which included a business matching activity between Thai entrepreneurs and foreign businessmen.-VNA