Vietnam, Thailand’s Central Group Ink Deal to Boost Vietnamese Goods Globally

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and Thailand’s Central Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the distribution and promotion of Vietnamese goods in domestic and international markets for the 2026–2028 period, the Agency for Domestic Market Surveillance and Development under the MoIT announced.

The MoU was signed during the official visit of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to Vietnam from May 15–16. The agreement marks a significant advancement in economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and was witnessed by Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and his Thai counterpart.

According to the MoU, both parties will collaborate on a series of trade promotion activities, including the annual organization of Vietnamese Goods Weeks in Thailand and other target markets. The initiative aims to strengthen the competitiveness and international visibility of Vietnamese consumer goods, agricultural products, and aquatic products.

To support Vietnamese producers in accessing international retail networks, the Central Group will also partner with MoIT to organize Vietnam International Sourcing events. These events are designed to link domestic suppliers with global distributors. In addition, the Thai group will issue technical guidelines and quality standards to help Vietnamese firms meet the requirements for entry into its extensive supermarket and retail systems.

The Central Group further pledged to support high-quality agricultural projects that comply with both domestic and global benchmarks. It will also assist in branding specialty Vietnamese agricultural products, thereby increasing their market appeal and export potential.

Beyond product promotion, the cooperation will include joint efforts in human resource development for Việt Nam’s retail and distribution sectors. This will be achieved through specialized training programs and technical support initiatives. Notably, the Central Group will expand value chains that source products from ethnic minority and mountainous regions, contributing to sustainable livelihood development across the country.

The MoIT emphasized its commitment to effectively implement the cooperation framework. It will facilitate connections between local authorities and businesses, provide commercial infrastructure planning support, and ensure that coordination adheres to Vietnamese regulations.

Both sides also agreed to maintain regular dialogues to address challenges and ensure the practical implementation of the agreement.

The MoU is expected to not only deepen trade ties between Vietnam and Thailand but also enhance the global presence of Vietnamese products, aligning with the country’s broader goals for export growth and economic diversification.