Vietnam vows to back partnership with Lao localities

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc declared that the Government of Vietnam will do all it can to boost co-operation between localities in Vietnam and Laos.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (left) and his Lao counterpart Somsavat Lengsavad at a meeting in Hanoi in September (Source: VNA)

The Vietnamese Deputy PM made the remark during talks with his Lao counterpart Somsavat Lengsavad on November 1 in Quy Nhon city, the southern central province of Binh Dinh to review the affiliation between the southern central and Central Highlands provinces in Vietnam , and seven southern localities in Laos.

The Deputy PM called for local governments, people, organisations and businesses in both countries to foster their partnership and mutual support for socio-economic development.

He also praised the traditional ties between the two countries as well as between different localities during the war and at present.

The two Deputy PMs noted that the two countries’ Politburos agreed to enhance the comprehensive and in-depth co-operation between the two governments and between localities along their border, as well as between interior provinces and cities, for example between Binh Dinh and southern provinces of Laos.

Over the past 10 years, the partnership between southern central and Central Highlands provinces in Vietnam and seven southern localities in Laos has expanded in all fields, ranging from socio-economic development to culture and education, they said.

Many Vietnamese firms have invested in different fields in southern provinces in Laos, with a number of successful projects, including the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group and Binh Dinh Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Joint Stock Company.

Since 2000, Binh Dinh enterprises have invested dozens of millions of US dollars in projects in Laos ’ four southern provinces of Champasak, Attapeu, Sekong and Salavan.

The province has also set up twin relations with Champasak province and provided support for not only Champasak but also other Lao localities.

Currently, Binh Dinh runs a scholarship programme for Laos students while sending experts in all fields to Lao localities to assist them in socio-economic development.

Earlier, Lao PM Somsavat Lengsavad had a meeting with Lao students at Quy Nhon University, and visited Nhon Hoi economic zone and Quy Nhon port.

(Source: nhandan.org.vn)