A conference to promote investment in the southwestern Lao province of Champassak was held in the southern province of Dong Nai on August 24.

More than 50 businesses from Dong Nai province took part in the conference.

At the conference, Deputy Governor of the Lao province Bouasone Vongsongkhone introduced participants to its socio-economic development and strengths.

He said Champassak is calling for investment in industry, agricultural product processing, cultivation, tourism and building material production.

Vietnam has 37 projects in Champassak, with a total investment of over 217 million USD. Dong Nai province has two projects in real estate and coffee planting.

According to a representative from the Lao General Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City , Dong Nai province’s businesses can promote investment in the Lao locality in the fields of rubber tree planting, forest products, hydroelectricity and tourism.

Two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Laos reached 734 million USD last year. The two countries set a target of reaching 1 billion USD in bilateral trade this year and 2 billion USD by 2015.-VNA