Vietnam-Laos Inter governmental Meeting Underlines Comprehensive Ties

Vietnamese and Laotian officials pledged to accelerate bilateral cooperation on the economy, education and culture at the mid-term meeting of Inter-Governmental Committee taking place in Nghe An province August 1-3.

 

The meeting, co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy PM Nguyen Sinh Hung and his Laotian counterpart Somsavat Lengsavad, is to review and assess the implementation of a cooperative agreement in the fields of economics, culture, science and technology that was signed on January 8 this year.

 

The two sides agreed to work together to raise the training quality and living conditions of overseas students in each nation.

 

In terms of the culture and sports ties, relevant agencies in both countries are urged to conduct research and to work out projects in memory of Vietnam’s first President Ho Chi Minh in Laos and to prepare for the “Vietnamese Cultural Week in Laos 2009.”

 

Vietnam also committed to helping Laos in organizing the SEA Games 25 by agreeing to help train referees and athletes.

 

The two nations will continue expanding the list of commodities that will be eligible for 0 per cent tariffs and will work to reform customs procedures in order to realize the two-way trade goal of US$1 billion next year.

 

In the first half of this year, the two countries’ bilateral trade reached US$196 million.  

 

Vietnam is among the three largest investors in Laos with 186 projects valued at US$2 billion, indicated by figures given through June.

 

In the six-month period, the Lao government granted licenses to 17 Vietnamese projects worth of US$87.9 million. (People’s Army, New Hanoi)