Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith (R) receives Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung. (Photo: baodautu.vn)
During his recent official talks with Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Suphan Keomixay, Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and his Lao counterpart shared a common concern on how to support important projects, not only Vietnam’s development projects in Laos but also those run by Vietnamese businesses.
According to the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment, there are currently 413 Vietnamese businesses’ projects in Laos with a total capital of over USD4.1 billion. A majority of the projects work in agriculture, industry, handicraft, mineral and other services.
“Vietnamese businesses’ projects have made positive contributions to Laos’ socio-economic development,” said Khampheuy Keokinnaly, Lao Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment. “The projects, together with a series of ongoing projects which have been built from the official assistance from the Vietnamese Government, including the Vietnam – Laos Friendship Hospital in Hua Phan and Xieng Khoang provinces and the Xieng Khoang School for Gifted Students, have made important contributions to promoting the cooperative relationship between the two countries, especially in economic links.”
However, the two Ministers agreed that it is necessary for the two Cooperation Committees to focus on tackling difficulties for the projects while Laos have to further improve its investment and business environment and increase competitiveness.
During the talks, the two Ministers mentioned a number of projects that the two sides cared for, such as the Vung Ang port, the Hanoi - Vientiane highway, the Vung Ang - Vientiane railway, hydroelectric projects or Nong Khang airport.
Regarding Vietnam’s investment in Laos, Minister Dung said that the investment should focus on agriculture and tourism in the near future as there is a lot of potential for the cooperation in these areas.
He added that the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment as well as the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Committee will organize workshops to work out solutions for helping Lao localities boost agricultural production while cooperating with travel companies to increase tourism cooperation./.