New step forward in the special cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Laos

President Luong Cuong and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith attend the inauguration ceremony of Terminal No. 3 of the Laos-Vietnam International Port. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

President Luong Cuong and General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith attended the ceremony.

Also attending were Politburo members: General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense; General Luong Tam Quang, Minister of Public Security ; Party Central Committee members: Nguyen Chi Dung - Deputy Prime Minister, Tran Quang Phuong - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; leaders of the Lao Government and departments, ministries, branches and localities of the two countries.

The No. 3 Terminal Project was granted an Investment Registration Certificate by the Ha Tinh Economic Zone Management Board, with a wharf length of 225m, capable of receiving cargo ships with a capacity of 45,000 DWT. With an operating capacity of up to 2.15 million tons of cargo/year, the port has a land area of ​​43,928m² and a water surface of 42,000m². The operation of No. 3 Terminal contributes to ensuring infrastructure for the socio-economic development of the region and the two countries of Vietnam and Laos, meeting the increasing demand for goods circulation; together with Terminals No. 1 and No. 2, the cargo throughput through the port will increase from 4.5 million tons/year to over 6.5 tons/year. At the same time, increase the attractiveness index in attracting investment to the region and create the premise to serve better and better in export, import, transit goods transportation, trade, and cooperation with Laos and the Northeast region of Thailand.

This event not only marks a new development step of Lao - Viet International Port Joint Stock Company but also demonstrates the in-depth, practical and effective implementation of the commitments between the Governments of Vietnam and Laos on Investment Cooperation in the Development of Wharfs 1, 2 and 3, Vung Ang Port, helping Laos have a seaport, open up international integration, facilitate the import and export of goods by sea, highlight the connection and economic cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, thereby clearly demonstrating the special trust and affection between comrades and brothers Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam.

President Luong Cuong and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith attend the inauguration ceremony of Terminal No. 3 of the Laos-Vietnam International Port. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Komasith affirmed that this is a precious gift that the Party, State and people of Vietnam have given to the Party, State and people of Laos; at the same time, it is an affirmation of the sentiments of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and two States.

Appreciating the importance of Vung Ang port, an important historical symbol for the cooperation between the two Parties, two States and peoples of Laos and Vietnam in the new period, the Lao Deputy Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the Vietnamese Government for creating favorable conditions and agreed to assign Lao Asia Telecommunications Company, as a representative of the Lao Government, to participate in holding shares and jointly manage and operate with the Vietnamese side at Lao-Viet International Port Joint Stock Company to develop ports 1, 2 and 3 and increase the Lao side's shareholding ratio from 20% to 60%; at the same time, help Laos train and foster a team of port management staff.

Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith speaks. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Komasith hopes that Laos will continue to receive experience in port management and operation from Vietnam in the coming time; at the same time, he affirmed that Laos will certainly work with Vietnamese comrades to use Vung Ang port most effectively, bringing practical benefits to the people of Laos and Vietnam.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Chi Dung emphasized that the opening of Terminal No. 3, Laos - Vietnam International Port has special significance, marking a new step forward in the cooperative relationship between the two Parties and States, further highlighting the solidarity, special trust, affection and loyalty between comrades and brothers of Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung said that with its favorable geographical location, located on the North-South traffic axis and the East-West economic corridor, Terminal No. 3 will become an important bridge, promoting trade between the two brotherly countries and connecting with international markets. This project not only affirms the position of Vung Ang Economic Zone in the regional logistics network, but is also a symbol of friendship and close cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that for Vietnam, this is a step forward in developing the Vung Ang Economic Zone into a dynamic economic center, making an important contribution to attracting investment resources, creating momentum for socio-economic development of Ha Tinh province, localities in the region and the whole country. Meanwhile, for Laos, the project opens a new gateway for Laos to access the sea market; creating favorable conditions for the export and import of goods, reducing logistics costs and enhancing economic competitiveness. Moreover, this project also contributes to connecting Laos with the northeastern provinces of Thailand and other areas in the Mekong sub-region.

The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that the results achieved today are thanks to the consensus and determination of the two Parties, two States, and the people of the two countries over the past time. Along with that are the continuous efforts of investors and local authorities to speed up construction progress, ensuring quality, safety and efficiency of the project.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung speaks. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung praised and highly appreciated the efforts of the Lao-Viet International Port Joint Stock Company, the central ministries, departments, branches, the Party Committee, the government and people of Ha Tinh province, the contractors, construction units, consultants, engineers and workers who worked day and night to complete this project of special importance. At the same time, on behalf of the leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam, he respectfully and highly appreciated the Party, State and people of the Lao People's Democratic Republic for always accompanying, trusting and effectively cooperating with Vietnam throughout the development of the Lao-Viet International Port.

In order for Terminal No. 3 to maximize its effectiveness and truly become an "important bridge" between the two countries, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung requested that the departments, ministries and branches of the two countries and Ha Tinh province continue to pay attention to and invest in developing shared infrastructure in a synchronous manner, meeting the potential and capacity of the Vung Ang - Son Duong deep-water port cluster in particular and the Vung Ang Economic Zone in general; at the same time, pay attention to and create the most favorable conditions for the Lao - Viet International Port Joint Stock Company to carry out its investment and business activities more and more effectively.

The Deputy Prime Minister also hopes that businesses and investors from Laos, Vietnam and other countries will continue to research and expand investment in the Vung Ang Economic Zone; participate in investing in developing infrastructure of Vung Ang - Son Duong port to exploit the full strategic potential of this area; Lao - Viet International Port Joint Stock Company will prioritize the application of modern technology, promote digital transformation, improve management capacity, and port operation and exploitation.

Terminal No. 3 of Laos - Vietnam International Port. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

The Deputy Prime Minister believes that the operation of Terminal No. 3 will contribute to strongly promoting economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries as well as with other countries in the region, while further enhancing the special, loyal and steadfast friendship and solidarity between the Vietnamese and Lao peoples.

On this occasion, President Luong Cuong, General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and leaders of the two countries went to pier 3 to witness the welcoming ceremony for the inaugural ship.

VNA

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/buoc-tien-moi-trong-quan-he-hop-tac-dac-biet-viet-nam-lao-post411769.html