The Departments of Industry and Trade of northwestern Dien Bien province and six northern provinces of Laos on Se ptember 16 signed an agreement on cooperation for the period of 2013-2015.

At their working session in Dien Bien, officials from Dien Bien and the Lao provinces of Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Phongsaly, Bokeo, Luang Namtha and Saynhabuli reviewed the implementation of their previous deal in 2011-2013. They also agreed on measures to boost the export of each locality’s key products in order to realise their export targets in the coming time.

According to Nguyen Van Tuong, director of Dien Bien’s Department of Industry and Trade, from 2011 to present, total export-import turnover between Dien Bien and the six Lao localities reached 50 million USD.
He said at present, 74 businesses from Dien Bien are operating in Phongsali province.

The director of Oudomxay Department of Industry and Trade, Bounthan Vannachay reported that seven Vietnamese companies have invested in Oudomxay with total capital of over 7 million USD.

In addition, Dien Bien province has provided financial assistance to Oudomxay in building several public works such as a museum and dormitories for local schools.

The localities agreed to work together to develop a network of markets in Vietnam-Laos border areas by 2020.-VNA