Thailand and Laos have pledged to raise bilateral trade to US$8 billion over the next three years, driven mainly by underlined partnerships through special economic zones (SEZs).
Commerce Minister Chatchai Sarikulya on Monday told a seminar that SEZs along the border areas of the two countries would be instrumental not only in boosting trade over the next three years but also investment.
Thailand plans to develop SEZs in 10 provinces, six of which have been designated in the first phase -- Tak, Sa Kaeo, Trat, Mukdahan, Songkhla and Nong Khai.
The designated provinces in the second phase are Chiang Rai, Nakhon Phanom, Kanchanaburi and Narathiwat.
The government has earmarked 80 billion baht to develop infrastructure to support first-phase development and 170 billion for the second phase, Gen Chatchai said.
Of the two phases of SEZ development, four zones will be located in border areas with Laos.
These are Mukdahan, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom and Chiang Rai.
Mukdahan's SEZ in particular has already been designated to focus on processed food and beverages, rubber and products, electrical appliances and electronics, and alternative energy as well as act as a distribution and trading centre for agricultural products and vehicles.
Laos currently has two SEZs and nine specific economic zones including the Pakse-Japan SME Specific Economic Zone in Champassak province, which is pending development. Nine of these are located in areas bordering Thailand.
The two SEZs are Golden Triangle SEZ in Bokeo province and Savan-Seno SEZ in Savannakhet province.
The specific economic zones include Boten Beautiful Land; Vientiane Industrial and Trade Area; Saysettha; Thatluang Lake; Longthanh-Vientiane; Dongphosy; Phoukhyo; and Thakhek.
These are in addition to the Pakse-Japan SME Specific Economic Zone.
Last year, Thailand was Laos's biggest trade partner.
Laos ranked 21st among Thailand's global trade partners and seventh in Asean after Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Myanmar.
During the 2009-13 period, bilateral trade between Thailand and Laos averaged $3.76 billion a year, with annual growth averaging 35.8%.
In 2014, bilateral trade reached $5.44 billion, up by 6.3% from 2013, with exports of $4.03 billion, up by 7.3%.