Dien Bien and 6 Northern Lao provinces strengthen cooperation to develop border trade

Mr. Vu Hong Son, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Dien Bien province, discussed the contents of trade development cooperation.

In the period of 2021 - 2023, despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and fluctuations in world prices, the Department of Industry and Trade of Dien Bien province, together with the Department of Industry and Trade of 6 Northern Lao provinces, proactively overcame and maintained good implementation of promotion activities, cooperation in developing trade and border gates; creating favorable conditions for businesses of both sides to seek markets and exchange goods. Implementing trade and border promotion cooperation activities in 2022, the Department of Industry and Trade of the provinces: Udomxay, Luang Prabang, and Phoong Sa Ly organized a series of trade promotion activities associated with a series of events celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Treaty. Participating in the fair and trade promotion activities organized by 6 provinces of Northern Laos, the Department of Industry and Trade of Dien Bien province has directed the Provincial Trade Promotion Center to support and facilitate Dien Bien enterprises to participate in booths to introduce Dien Bien's Ocop products and Vietnamese goods to consumers in neighboring countries. In the period of 2021 - 2023, the total import-export turnover of goods and trade between Dien Bien province and the provinces of Northern Laos reached 143.43 million USD (an increase of 0.65% compared to the previous period). Import-export goods between Dien Bien and the provinces of Northern Laos are mainly agricultural products, garments, household appliances, and construction materials.

Mr. Xom Xun Xay Co Da Chong Tua, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Luang Prabang province, spoke at the conference.

Leaders of the Department of Industry and Trade of Dien Bien province and the Department of Industry and Trade of 6 provinces in Northern Laos signed a memorandum of cooperation.

Highly agreeing with the goal of increasing import-export turnover between Dien Bien and the Northern Lao provinces by 8% - 10% per year in the 2023 - 2025 period, the Department of Industry and Trade of Dien Bien and the Department of Industry and Trade of 6 Northern Lao provinces signed a commitment to strengthen propaganda and dissemination of the contents of the agreements signed between the two countries and current regulations on trade and investment activities to businesses and entrepreneurs. Coordinate well with competent agencies at border gates to guide traders and border residents in buying and selling and exchanging goods. Every year, the Department of Industry and Trade of Dien Bien and the Department of Industry and Trade of 6 Northern Lao provinces will take turns organizing information exchange talks; actively organize trade and investment fairs, creating favorable conditions for businesses of both sides to expand product consumption markets and trade cooperation.

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