Delegations said that regional governments should further strengthen friendship and co-operation, thus facilitating the development of the economic corridor.
Head of the Vietnamese delegation Deputy FM Ho Xuan Son, who chaired the conference, highlighted the attendance of representatives of the Japanese Embassy in Ha Noi, the Asian Development Bank, the Japan International Co-operation Agency, and the Japan Bank for International Co-operation, which, he said, reflected their commitment and active role in promoting the development of the EWEC.
The conference adopted a joint statement recording numerous tourism, environmental and social projects completed after a decade of development. The statement hailed the three countries' efforts to boost transport and trade along the corridor.
It also highlighted the corridor's role in enhancing regional connectivity, reducing travel times and costs, and increasing trade and investment in the region.
However, the delegates said difficulties remained for goods and passenger transport along the corridor, limited investment in regional production and service sectors, a lack of infrastructure and slow paperwork.
The conference called on partners and the private sector to become actively involved and closely co-ordinate with EWEC countries in developing the economic corridor and settling existing difficulties and challenges. — VNS
