Vietnam and Thailand should increase cooperation on industrial and commercial development, Ms.Ladda Khaikham, a representative of Thailand’s Industry Promotion Agency, said in a joint meeting between Vietnamese and Thai businessmen in Hanoi on August 27.

Representatives of a number of big Thai companies attended the meeting, including producers of spare and automobile parts; oil and lubricants; automated machinery; and electrical and laser equipment.

The meeting aimed to provide Thai businesses with a better understanding of the Vietnamese business environment and create opportunities for businesses from both countries to network and collaborate, said Pham Quang Thinh, Deputy Director of International Relation Department of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

Bilateral trade between Vietnam and Thailand has increased from 5.78billion USD in 2009 to more than 9.4 billion USD in 2013. In 2013, Thailand was Vietnam ’s biggest importer of mobile phones and components worth 692 million USD, according to VCCI.

Meanwhile, Vietnam imported 493 million USD worth of automobile parts and 485million USD worth of home appliances and components from Thailand, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.-VNA