Hanoi, December 4 (VNA) – The Mekong – Republic of Korea (RoK)cooperation is of importance to boosting regional economic integration, innovation,and economic competitiveness of the two sides, Vietnamese Deputy Minister ofForeign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said at the 8th Mekong – RoK Business Forumon December 4.

Bringing together over 350 representatives of ministries, sectors, localitiesbusiness associations and enterprises from the six involved countries, theforum, which was held in both in-person and video conference formats, focused on a series of key topics, including the short- and long-termeffects of the COVID-19 pandemic, development trends, challenges andopportunities facing businesses, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),and the governments’ policies to support firms in post-pandemic recovery.   

In his remarks at the event, Trung said since its establishmentin 2011, the Mekong – RoK cooperation mechanism has played a significant rolein promoting the multifaceted relationships among Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand,Vietnam and the RoK.

Trade between the Mekong region and the RoK leaped by 250percent in nine years to reach 88 billion USD in 2019, while their two-way foreign directinvestment also hit nearly 60 billion USD last year.

Despite the pandemic, the sides have worked to sustain their trade at the level equivalent to that of 2019 and remained each other’s main trade partner, the diplomat said, addingthat at two recent summits, Mekong and RoK leaders encouraged the privatesector, particularly SMEs and newly established firms, to seek business andinvestment opportunities in the region for deeper collaboration across fields.

The deputy minister said he believed the forum will make importantcontributions to the cooperation between the two sides.

For his part, Korean Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs LeeTae-ho recalled that at the 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, leaders affirmed their determination to enhance collaboration to overcomedifficulties and recover their economies.

They agreed to elevate the Mekong –RoK cooperation to a strategic partnership for improved join work in prioritised areas,boosted resilience capacity of regional supply chains and favourable conditions for businessoperations, he said.

The official stated the Korean Government will push forstronger ties with the Mekong nations and pledged to contribute 10 billion USD to thefund for cooperation and COVID-19 prevention and control.

He said further collaboration in water management and responseto climate change and natural disasters in the Mekong region are necessary.

Right after the forum, a dialogue took place to connect Koreanenterprises with the Vietnamese provinces of Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Ninh, CaoBang, Tuyen Quang, and Yen Bai./.