PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith(Photo: baochinhphu.vn)
Vientiane (VNA) – Vietnam’s investment flows into Laos face multiple challengesbut promising outlook is still ahead, said an article of the Laos-Viet magazineon December 19.
The magazinequoted a representative of the Laos-Vietnam cooperation committee at the recent conference of Laos’ planning and investment sectoras saying that despite a slowdown in recent years, Vietnam remainsLaos’ important partner in the future.
A number ofVietnam’s major projects in Laos, such as Nong Khang International Airport inHouaphanh, are expected to complete this year though financial problems haveaffected their progress.
At theconference, the Lao government emphasised the importance of relations with Vietnam while representativesof all governmentaldepartments and agencies said to boost bilateral trade and investment, the twocountries must further develop their comprehensive partnership, particularly in politics.
They alsosuggested the two sides pay more heed to education and healthcare.
Vietnam andLaos need to focus more on implementing agreements for cooperation inconstruction and transport, and accelerating development projects in hydropower, expressway,grid connection and cross-border electricity trade.
Laos wants Vietnam to provide more financial and technical support to improvethe effectiveness of joint projects, notably strategic projects in Houaphanh,Xiangkhouang and Xaisomboun.
The Laogovernment also hopes Vietnam will offer over 1,200 scholarships to Laostudents and governmental officials and provide Laos about 900 billion VND, or 40 million USD, in financialaid in the next year./.
VNA
