Bangkok (VNA) – The Central Highlands province ofLam Dong promoted itself as a promising land for investment, trade and tourismat a conference held in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 4.

The event attracted representatives of theTourism Authority of Thailand, the Board of Investment of Thailand, the Boardof Trade of Thailand, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of ThaiIndustries, the Thailand – Vietnam Business Council, and the Thai Small- andMedium-sized Enterprises Council. More than 300 Thai businesses and investorsalso attended the conference.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Nguyen HaiBang emphasised that the two countries now boast the best ever political andeconomic relations. They have signed many agreements creating legal frameworksfor business, investment and trade activities. The two Governments are alsomaking efforts to enhance their economies’ connectivity.

With favourable geographical, political andeconomic conditions between the two sides, Thai firms have operated profitablyand invested in many strategic sectors of Vietnam’s economy, frompetrochemistry to retail.

He added Lam Dong owns specific geographical,economic and cultural advantages and also has a flight route linking its Da Latcity with Bangkok. It will surely be a good destination for Thai investment andtourists in the central region of Vietnam.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’sCommittee Nguyen Van Yen said local economy has developed continually over thepast years. In 2017, Lam Dong recorded an economic growth rate of 8.16 percentand export revenue of 552 million USD. It also welcomed 5.9 million touristarrivals.

However, the province’s economic development hasyet to match potential and advantages due to limitations in capital,technological application, production scale and markets, as well as businesses’modest connectivity and integration capacity, he said.

The official stressed that Lam Dong pledges to supportenterprises and continually work to build an open, transparent and friendlyinvestment climate. It is also ready to remove obstacles facing companies in atimely manner so as to facilitate investors’ activities.

This is the first time an investment, trade andtourism promotion event of Lam Dong has been held in Bangkok. The conferencewas a chance for the provincial administration to talk face-to-face withinvestors and for investors and businesses to seek partnerships, thus popularisingLam Dong’s images among Thai partners.

As one of the five Central Highlands provinces, LamDong is located about 800 - 100 metres above the sea level. While the specialsoil condition has created optimal conditions for the province to developagriculture and tourism, the favourable geographical location has helped it togain close socio-economic relations with neighbouring localities.

Da Lat, the capital city of Lam Dong, is also oneof the most well-known tourist destinations in Vietnam, attracting millions oftourists each year.-VNA