Approximately 350 entrepreneurs from ACMECS countries, representatives of international organisations and major global investors gathered at a business forum held in Hanoi on Nov. 7 to seek opportunities for cooperation.
The forum, the first of its kind, took place on the sidelines of the 3 rd Summit of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), which includes Cambodia , Laos , Myanmar , Thailand and Vietnam .
Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Hoang Van Dung said that businesses play an important role in ACMECS cooperation as they contribute significantly to the development of regional cooperation strategies, which are then implemented by themselves.
However ACMECS business cooperation is hindered by different developmental levels among the member countries, Dung said, adding in Vietnam, many businesses face difficulties in employing skilled workers and suffer from complicated administrative and customs procedures.
Dung proposed the issuance of ACMECS cards for entrepreneurs to help facilitate transport and trade among regional countries, as well as building storage systems and having insurance in place for goods transported between these countries.
Addressing the forum, Oknha Kith Meng, President of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce and Industry proposed member countries increase tourism cooperation, while Oudet Souvannavong, Vice President of the Laos Chamber of Commerce and Industry stressed the facilitation of goods transport.
Regional countries should open more border gates, establish special commercial zones and invest in infrastructure development in order to allow greater economic cooperation among member countries, creating favourable condition for commercial activities, Souvannavong also said.
Win Aung, President of the Dagon group from Myanmar , said Myanmar businesses are poised to help Vietnamese businesses to invest in their country and hope to cooperate with other businesses across the region.
The forum’s proposals and initiatives will be reported to the Prime Ministers of the five ACMECS countries at their discussions with ACMECS businesses.