The Chairman of the People’s Committee for northern Hai Duong province Nguyen Manh Hien, has pledged to call for more local businesses to invest in the Lao northern mountainous province of Phongsaly.

The provincial authority made the promise at a meeting with a delegation from Phongsaly, in Hai Duong province, on March 11.

In Hai Duong, the Party and local authorities, along with the people, have always had a soft spot for people from Laos and are keen to help educate the younger generation about the special relationship that exists between both countries, said Hien.

The Governor and Secretary of the Party Committee for Phongsaly province Khamjane Vongphasy that his province is one of the poorest provinces in Laos. With 15 different ethnic groups across seven districts, the province has witnessed its socio-economic development programme being fully supported by Vietnam, particularly its twin province, Dien Bien.

Last year its annual per-capita income was 533 USD, he said, adding that the province currently has 66 investment projects in operation, including 34 funded from overseas, worth 50.5 million USD.

He said he hoped that the leaders of both provinces will step up the frequency of their visits.

At present, Hai Duong has established strong links with four areas in Laos, including Vientiane.

Since establishing relations with Phongsaly in 1984, the two localities have beefed up cooperation in various fields: agriculture, planning and investment, sports-culture, trade-tourism, education-training and finance./.