Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien (L) and his Lao counterpart Khampheng Xaysompheng co-chair the conference. (Photo: VNA) Addressing the event, Dien highlighted significantprogress in the bilateral trade, especially via the border, since the 11th conference in 2018.
In 2021, Vietnam – Laos trade hit 1.37 billion USD, up33.3 percent from 2020. Vietnam imported goods worth nearly 780 million USDfrom Laos, an annual increase of 70 percent, according to the Vietnamese minister.
The results were impressive but yet to be on par with commercial potential of both countries, he noted.
The conference pointed out causes behind the issue such as ineffectivepolicies to attract investment in production, infrastructure, transport, andlogistics in border areas; as well as slow construction of infrastructureprojects, particularly inter-district roads.
The two sides agreed with seven cooperation orientations for thetime to come.
Accordingly, they will study and propose more effective investmentattraction policies; promote the negotiation towards the signing of a memorandum of understanding onborder infrastructure development and connection between the Vietnamese and Laogovernments. Documents signed between the two nations like the Vietnam – Laos freetrade agreement and the 2007 Hanoi Agreement will be reviewed and amended to make them more suitable to the current situation.
The two sides also agreed to facilitate the flow of products into each other's market, particularly farm produce and team up in combating smuggling,commercial frauds, and illegal transportation of goods via the shared border.
Concluding the conference, the two ministers signed the minutes onborder trade development cooperation between the two countries as a basis for themto develop and implement tasks in the future./.
VNA
