Help Laos have its own sea and port, connect railways and roads to integrate internationally and develop an independent economy.

Besides promoting cooperation in investment, trade, education, etc., Vietnam's strategic view is to help Laos "have its own sea and port", followed by railways and roads to open up international integration and develop an independent economy .

Help Laos "have its own sea and port", connect railways and roads to integrate internationally and develop an independent economy.

Besides promoting cooperation in investment, trade,education , etc., Vietnam's strategic view is to help Laos "have its own sea and port", followed by railways and roads to open up international integration and develop an independent economy.

On the afternoon of November 12, the conference to prepare the content for the 47th meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee took place in Vientiane (Laos). Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Committee and Deputy Minister Viengsavanh Vilayphone, Vice Chairman of the Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Committee chaired the conference.

At the Conference, the two sides assessed the results of the implementation of the Agreement on the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Plan in 2024, as well as set out directions and tasks for the cooperation plan in 2025.

The two Vietnam - Laos and Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Committees discussed cooperation directions in 2025, preparing for the 47th Meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee.

Vietnam - Laos Cooperation 2024 Achieves Many Important Results

Speaking at the Conference, the two Vice Chairmen of the Cooperation Committee also affirmed that the implementation of the Agreement on the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Plan for 2024 has achieved the set goals.

Specifically, in terms of politics and diplomacy, the relationship between the two countries continues to develop well, political trust is constantly strengthened; cooperation in defense and security continues to be well implemented, contributing to maintaining political stability, defense, security, and social order and safety of each country...

Meanwhile, in terms of economic cooperation, support and experience sharing in building an independent and self-reliant economy, as well as sharing solutions for managing and stabilizing the macro-economy, continue to be actively coordinated by Vietnamese ministries and sectors with the Lao side...

According to Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong, Vietnam has currently established three working groups related to this field to be ready to support and provide policy advice to Laos when necessary.

“Investment cooperation continues to have positive changes, many investment projects of Vietnamese enterprises in Laos operate effectively, contributing positively to socio-economic development, creating jobs and increasing income for people, supplementing revenue for the Lao state budget, especially in the fields of telecommunications, banking, rubber planting and processing, food production and processing, and milk,” Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong emphasized.

Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Committee highly appreciated the implementation of the Bilateral Cooperation Agreement in 2024.

Positive information is that in the first 10 months of 2024, registered investment capital to Laos was 74.6 million USD, an increase of 16.3% over the same period in 2023. In particular, some large and important investment projects, such as the Xe-ca-man 3 Hydropower Project, the Agricultural Project of Truong Hai Group; the Bauxite Mining, Processing and Alumina Production Complex Project of Viet Phuong Group have focused on removing difficulties and obstacles.

"The focus on supporting and removing difficulties for businesses has been of interest to the two governments, directed strongly, and has been actively implemented by the ministries and branches of the two countries," Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong emphasized.

Meanwhile, regarding trade cooperation, a representative of the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade said that in 10 months, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Laos reached 1.7 billion USD, an increase of 28% over the same period last year.

In addition, in 2024, the two countries also continued to effectively implement cooperation in industry, energy, transportation, construction, human resource training, etc. Cooperation in non-refundable aid has also achieved positive results, as in the past 10 months, 4 projects have been completed and handed over to Laos for use. Among them, there is the project to upgrade the Lao National Radio Station; build 4 small-scale irrigation systems in 2 districts of Anuvong and Thathom, Xaysomboon province, etc.

Although there are still shortcomings and limitations that need to be overcome, such as some high-level agreements being implemented slowly and ineffectively; the implementation of the plan to connect the two economies still has many shortcomings; some key projects are still slow to be implemented..., the two Vice Chairmen of the Vietnam - Laos and Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Committees both affirmed that the two sides will make efforts to cooperate to continue promoting and bringing the Vietnam - Laos cooperation relationship to a deeper, more substantial and effective level.

Will help Laos "have its own sea and port" to integrate internationally

Discussing the direction of Vietnam-Laos cooperation in 2025, Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong affirmed that Vietnam's consistent policy is to always attach importance to and give the highest priority to preserving and developing the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, considering it a priceless asset of vital significance to the revolutionary cause of each country.

“In the coming time, the two sides need to continue to thoroughly grasp the contents of the Agreement of the High-ranking Leaders, the Minutes of the Annual Meeting between the leaders of the two Parties; the Agreement on the Annual Cooperation Plan between the two Governments; coordinate and promote relevant ministries, branches, localities and agencies to strive to successfully complete the Agreement on the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Plan for 2024 and 2025,” Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Committee Tran Quoc Phuong emphasized.

Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong proposed directions for Vietnam - Laos cooperation in 2025

This was also agreed by the Vice President of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Committee. The two Vice Presidents of the Cooperation Committee discussed in detail the directions of cooperation in the coming time.

Accordingly, continue to focus on promoting investment and trade cooperation. In particular, strengthen connectivity and complementarity between the two economies; create a stable, transparent legal corridor, favorable environment; have specific mechanisms for key security and defense projects.

At the same time, promote Vietnamese enterprises to invest in industries and fields that are in line with Laos' priority orientation, focusing on areas such as high-tech agriculture associated with processing to become export goods; renewable energy, especially projects in the border areas of the two countries connected to Vietnam's power grid; deep-processed mineral mines for Vietnamese enterprises; tourism connections (resorts) ...

Along with that, consider and pilot new and specific mechanisms and policies to attract Vietnamese enterprises to form joint ventures and partnerships with foreign partners to carry out investment projects in Laos...

“We propose that Laos give priority to Vietnamese enterprises to implement cooperation projects along the Vietnam-Laos border,” Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong emphasized, suggesting that the two countries continue to promote trade growth, as well as promote cooperation in electricity purchase and sale; create favorable conditions to promote the implementation of wind power projects in border areas to sell electricity to Vietnam…

Vice Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Committee Viengsavanh Vilayphone also agreed with these proposals and pledged to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to invest and do business in Laos.

The two sides agreed to report to the Prime Ministers of the two countries on these cooperation proposals for consideration and decision at the upcoming 47th Session.

In addition, an important content in the 2025 cooperation direction was also mentioned. Specifically, according to Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong, Vietnam's "strategic viewpoint" is "to help Laos have its own sea and port, followed by railways and roads to open up international integration and develop an independent economy".

“We will focus on removing difficulties and promoting important connection projects, such as the Vung Ang Port Port Investment Cooperation Project 1, 2, 3, the Hanoi - Vientiane road traffic connection projects, the Vientiane - Vung Ang railway, etc.; and thoroughly handle projects that are still stuck,” Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Phuong emphasized.

Other proposed cooperation directions are to improve the efficiency of aid capital use, focus on maintenance of projects that have been handed over and put into use, especially putting into use the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Hospital in Hua Phan province in 2025. This is a project of great significance to the Vietnam - Laos cooperative relationship.

Along with that, continue to prioritize cooperation in education and training with a focus on high quality; increase support for Laos in terms of experience in maintaining macroeconomic stability, sustainable development, and improving the business environment; increase consultation and mutual support, enhance ASEAN's role in promoting sub-regional cooperation, and link sub-regional cooperation with the process of building the ASEAN Community and ASEAN's regional integration...

As planned, the contents discussed at today's Conference will be reported to the Prime Ministers of the two countries to prepare for the 47th Meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee, scheduled to be held early next year in Laos.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/giup-lao-co-bien-co-cang-rieng-ket-noi-duong-sat-duong-bo-de-hoi-nhap-quoc-te-phat-trien-kinh-te-doc-lap-d229869.html