Vietnam ’s northern province of Hai Duong and the Lao capital city of Vientiane have signed an agreement on cooperation for 2011 and the years to come.

The agreement was inked on June 27 during a working visit to Hai Duong by a high-level delegation from Vientiane led by the province’s governor Khammung Phomthadi.

At a meeting with Bui Thanh Quyen, Secretary of the Hai Duong provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Hai Duong People’s Council, the two sides briefed each other on the socio-economic performance and reviewed outcomes of the implementation of the friendship cooperation agreement signed in 2007.

They outlined an array of activities to boost socio-economic and sustainable development such as exchanging experience, assisting Vientiane in investment attraction and urban development and transferring agricultural technologies.

Both host and guest agreed to continue annual exchanges of high-ranking delegations and reached consensus on policies regarding the consolidation of the Vientiane-Hai Duong cooperation centre mechanism.

On the occasion, Khammung Phomthadi, on behalf of the Lao President, handed over the first-class Labour Order to Hai Duong province. Vientiane province also presented certificates of merit to the provincial departments of Planning and Investment; and Agriculture and Rural Development./.