As many as 86 awards were granted to outstanding ASEAN businesses at a ceremony in the Lao capital of Vientiane on July 28.

The awards honoured outstanding ASEAN businesses, popular ASEAN trademarks and regional businesspeople with great efforts during the global integration.

The event was jointly organised by the Vietnamese ministries of Industry and Trade and of Planning and Investment, the Lao ministries of Industry and Commerce and of Information, Culture and Tourism, the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and the Vietnam Cooperatives Alliance.

In his letter to the ceremony, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said the event is of significance to boost solidarity and friendship among regional businesses during the global integration.

Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Nam Vignaket, Lao Minister of Industry and Trade praised the businesspeople for their contributions to building a healthy business environment while promoting sustainable socio-economic and cultural development, contributing to celebrating the Laos – Vietnam, Vietnam – Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2012.-VNA