Economic and tourism cooperation was the main theme of an international seminar on East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) held in the central province of Quang Tri on July 28.

The event was attended by leaders of ministries, agencies and localities from Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, as well as scientists, businesses and travel agencies from Vietnam and abroad.

Delegates highlighted the potential for cooperation among EWEC member countries and worked out measures to boost economic and trade ties in the region, with a focus on attracting investment and developing human resources.

Chairman of the Quang Tri provincial People’s Committee, Nguyen Duc Cuong, said EWEC cooperation has strengthened in recent years, especially since the Huu Nghi (Friendship) II border gate was inaugurated in 2006, connecting Vietnam’s Quang Tri province to Savanakhet in Laos and Mucdahan in Thailand.

He introduced Quang Tri's great potential for economic and tourism development saying the province is a gateway for neighbouring countries to enter the Vietnamese market.

Le Trieu Dung, a senior official from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), said the establishment of the EWEC offers significant benefits for nations in the Greater Mekong Sub-region that have not yet fully tapped their potential in various fields.

The Vice Chairman of Savanakhet province called for more investment in infrastructure development and stronger cooperation between border provinces in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand towards the building an ASEAN community in the near future.

Participants in the seminar also proposed measures to boost regional tourism by upgrading transport networks, simplifying administrative procedures and signing cooperative agreements on travel services between the three neighbouring countries./.