Addressing a seminar on enhancing Viet Nam-Thailand co-operative opportunities, Pisanu said that Thailand was the world’s eighth largest investor and ASEAN’s third largest investor in Viet Nam.

Pinasu said that Thailand expected to team up with Viet Nam to increase co-operation with countries in Southeast Asia and within the framework of the Greater Mekong Sub-region, the East-West Corridor and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Co-operation Strategy.

Pham Thi Hong Thanh, deputy director of the Asia-Pacific Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that Viet Nam and Thailand had so far signed nearly 30 co-operation agreements on investment, trade, tourism, agriculture and forestry.

Bilateral trade between Viet Nam and Thailand has grown rapidly in the past years, reaching roughly 25-30 per cent yearly on average. Last year, Viet Nam exported roughly USD 1.3 billion to Thailand, while importing USD 4.9 billion from the country.

Through improved co-operation, Viet Nam and Thailand expect to increase bilateral trade to USD 10 billion in 2010.