During the meeting in Stung Treng city, Nguyen Tuan Thanh expressed appreciation for the warm reception extended by the provincial leadership and highlighted the growing ties between Gia Lai and Stung Treng, which are aimed at promoting a relationship based on good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability.
Thanh said the 2026 Business Networking and Investment Promotion Conference would mark the beginning of a stronger partnership and help implement the contents of the memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two provinces for the 2026-2030 period. He voiced confidence that the event would be successful thanks to preparations by Stung Treng authorities and support from Gia Lai.
Following administrative restructuring under a two-tier local government system, Gia Lai now spans more than 21,500 sq km, making it Vietnam's second-largest province.
With a population exceeding 3.5 million, the province occupies a strategic position along major East-West and North-South corridors and serves as a gateway connecting the South Central Coast, the Central Highlands, southern Laos and northeastern Cambodia.
Thanh said the province's location provides advantages for logistics, international trade, processing industries, exports and border economic development.
He noted that Stung Treng, as the center of Cambodia's three northeastern provinces, possesses strengths in high-tech agriculture, logistics, agro-forestry processing and renewable energy, creating opportunities for the two provinces to complement each other and expand investment cooperation for the benefit of their populations.
Governor Sor Soputra welcomed the Gia Lai delegation ahead of the conference, which is scheduled to open on the morning of June 18. He thanked Pham Anh Tuan, Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee, for supporting Stung Treng in connecting with businesses and helping organize the event, which is being held for the first time.
According to Sor Soputra, conference activities this year are taking place at three venues across Stung Treng city and include a range of events. He said the conference reflects the strong cooperation between the two provinces and will help implement the 2026-2030 memorandum of understanding while encouraging investment by Vietnamese businesses, including those from Gia Lai.
On the occasion, Nguyen Tuan Thanh presented US$45,000 from the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee to support the organization of the 2026 Business Networking and Investment Promotion Conference.
Leaders of the two provinces also exchanged gifts as a symbol of solidarity and their commitment to strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation.
Later on Tuesday, the delegation visited booths displaying OCOP products from Gia Lai at Stung Treng city square.
The delegation also paid a visit to the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument on the banks of the Mekong River in Stung Treng city. The Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee had previously provided US$150,000 to support the upgrading and restoration of the monument.
The delegation later toured several tourist sites in Stung Treng city.
The delegation later toured several tourist sites in Stung Treng city.