Over the years, Laos has always been the country that attracts the most foreign direct investment (FDI) from Vietnamese enterprises investing abroad. In addition to geographical proximity, the biggest reason comes not only from the special relationship between the two countries, but also from the call of responsibility for the great friendship between the two brotherly countries.
Only 14 years after setting foot in the "Land of a Million Elephants", Star Telecom (Unitel) - a subsidiary of the joint venture between Laos-Asia Telecom and Vietnam's Viettel - has become the largest telecommunications network operator, one of the companies that contributes the most to the budget, creates the most jobs in Laos with more than 27,000 employees, and has great prestige with the Lao Government and people. This is achieved not only by the wisdom and decisiveness in business management of the Board of Directors, but also by the great friendship between Laos and Vietnam and Vietnam and Laos. Sharing with VNA reporters in Laos, Mr. Tran Trung Hung, General Director of Unitel, said that the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos has helped the company a lot in business. This is clearly demonstrated when the services deployed by the company are well received by the Lao people, while local ministries, departments and branches always create the most favorable conditions for the company. According to Mr. Tran Trung Hung, Viettel operates in many countries, but when doing business in Laos, it has great advantages and this is thanks to the special relationship between the two countries. Also according to General Director Tran Trung Hung, although Laos is a country with a small population, low density, and telecommunications consumption among the lowest in the world, but because of its responsibility to society, after 14 years, Unitel has turned Laos into one of the countries with the best telecommunications infrastructure in Southeast Asia. In addition to doing well in its business tasks, this company also does well in social work, actively supporting the Lao Government in digital transformation and building e-government; implementing many meaningful social programs with grants of over 3 million USD per year such as the Free Internet Program for Schools, building schools, medical stations, scholarships for poor students, monthly support of food and supplies for the poor. Not as famous nationwide as Unitel, nearly 2 decades ago, Vietnam - Laos Rubber Company Limited chose Bachiaeng and Senaxempu, the most remote and poorest districts in Champasak province, Southern Laos, to plant rubber trees to help the neighboring country develop its economy . More than 18 years after the company invested in the area, the project has brought great practical effects to the local economic development situation, especially the issue of hunger eradication and poverty reduction. Mr. Pham Van Thong, Deputy General Director of Viet-Lao Rubber Company Limited, said: “Previously, it was very difficult for a family to own a bicycle. However, since implementing the investment project in Champasak province and Bachieang district in particular, the company has brought many benefits in terms of social security, making travel easier and more convenient for local people. People's lives have changed a lot, every family can buy a motorbike, many households can buy cars and other vehicles for their families”. From the poorest district in the province, thanks to the tax paid by the company, Bachiaeng now has its own operating budget, without having to wait for disbursement from the province and the central government as before. Sharing with VNA reporters, Mr. Somboun Heuangvongxa, Vice Chairman of Champasak province, said that Vietnamese investors not only do well in business and tax obligations, but also show that they are very responsible investors. In addition to doing a good job of protecting the environment in accordance with the signed contract, Vietnamese investors are the ones who do the best job of social security, helping people in the project area. This is not only acknowledged by inspection agencies at all levels of Laos, but also by central leaders who visited, worked and inspected, all assessed that Vietnamese companies have done very well. Mr. Somboun emphasized that Champasak province currently has 18 countries investing, however, when talking about doing social security work, helping people in the project area, Vietnamese companies do the best, the reason is because Vietnam and Laos are two brotherly countries, with a special friendship, unlike companies from other countries.
Regarding the reason why Laos has always been the country attracting the most FDI capital from Vietnamese enterprises when investing abroad over the years, Lao Minister of Planning and Investment, Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Committee, Mr. Khamjane Vongphosy said that in addition to geographical advantages, the main reason is because Laos and Vietnam have a great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation over many decades. Vietnamese enterprises are continuing to follow President Ho Chi Minh's teaching: "Helping friends is helping ourselves". According to Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Committee, Mr. Khamjane Vongphosy, this is the reason why Vietnamese enterprises, despite many difficulties, still decide to invest in Laos, not only in urban plain areas, but also in remote and disadvantaged areas of Laos, not only for the purpose of pure profit but also because of the good political relationship between the two countries. In a speech delivered in Hanoi on July 18, 2022 on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between the two countries, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed: “The Party, State and people of Vietnam always strongly and comprehensively support Laos's renovation process, and at the same time attach great importance to and give top priority to the special relationship of comradeship and brotherhood between the two Parties and two countries”. This is a very strong commitment, showing that the Party, State and people of Vietnam are determined and will, together with the Party, State and people of Laos, continue to promote the tradition of making the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam last forever.
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