Laos considers special policy, aiming for joint industrial zone with Vietnam

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said that his country has considered applying some special policies for Vietnamese enterprises to encourage investment, hoping to have a Vietnam-Laos industrial park.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone at the Vietnam - Laos investment cooperation conference - Photo: DOAN BAC

On the afternoon of January 9, in the capital Vientiane (Laos), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone co-chaired the Vietnam - Laos investment cooperation conference.

At the conference, delegates from large enterprises of the two countries presented opportunities, cooperation possibilities, investment orientations of Vietnamese enterprises in Laos in the coming time, and also pointed out some difficulties, problems and made suggestions and recommendations.

Promoting Laos - Vietnam industrial park cooperation

Speaking at the conference, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone assessed that many investment projects of Vietnamese enterprises in Laos were being implemented very actively and effectively.

He affirmed that Laos always actively promotes investment by Vietnamese enterprises in industries and fields that are in line with the plan and prioritize economic development. The Lao government has considered applying a number of specific policies to encourage Vietnamese enterprises to invest.

Laos is continuing to actively improve the investment and business environment, while implementing major strategies on economic integration and connectivity as well as sustainable, green development and digital transformation.

The Lao leader also said that the two governments have high determination and agree to focus on developing transport infrastructure, promoting integration and connectivity. In particular, promoting projects connecting with Vietnam such as railway, road, Vung Ang 1, 2, 3 seaport projects; and promoting aviation cooperation.

On this occasion, he also called on Vietnamese and Lao enterprises to increase their exploration of cooperation and investment opportunities in various fields.

In particular, promoting cooperation in developing industrial zones to enhance deep processing of Lao raw materials, because Vietnam has experience in developing industrial zones such as the Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP). Developing clean energy, wind energy, etc. are also areas that encourage investment.

The Lao Prime Minister noted that businesses investing in Laos need to pay attention to environmental protection, effectively use land, increase the application of modern science and technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve production capacity, contribute to human resource training, and improve vocational skills for Lao workers.

Investing in Laos is investing in Vietnam and vice versa.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks to Vietnamese and Lao businesses - Photo: DOAN BAC

Sharing with delegates, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that in 2025, both countries will enter the final year of the Party Congress term in each country.

In the context of many difficulties and challenges, the regional and world situation is changing rapidly, complicatedly and unpredictably, the two countries Vietnam and Laos, which already have a special relationship, must unite even more to deal with emerging issues and continue to build and develop the country.

Praising the efforts of businesses from both countries, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that economic cooperation is still not commensurate with the distinct potential, outstanding opportunities and competitive advantages of the two sides.

Therefore, agencies and localities need to be more determined, remove barriers and bottlenecks in institutions, laws, mechanisms... and at the same time promote the connection of soft infrastructure and transport infrastructure, supply chain connection, and business connection between the two countries and with third countries.

Sharing the same opinion with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hopes that enterprises that have invested in industrial parks in Vietnam will study and develop Vietnam - Laos industrial parks.

The Prime Minister said that business can be good at times and bad at times, but besides calculating profits, the important thing is that everything is for the common development of both countries, bringing strategic, long-term benefits, the core of the two countries is to maintain independence, sovereignty, and the people are increasingly happy and prosperous.

"Vietnamese enterprises investing in Laos are investing in Vietnam. Conversely, Lao enterprises producing and doing business in Vietnam are also producing and doing business for Laos.

The interests of the two countries are also the interests of our businesses. Our investment and business are not only about profit but also about affection and responsibility, and gratitude to previous generations," the Prime Minister said.

Regarding the recommendations of enterprises, the head of the Vietnamese Government assessed that they were all very close to reality. Therefore, he suggested that ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries proactively resolve them in the spirit of cutting down procedures, decentralizing and delegating power to localities to speed up procedures, creating the most favorable conditions for enterprises.

The Vietnamese Government and agencies will review, continue to adjust, handle difficulties, and remove obstacles in institutions, mechanisms, and policies. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hopes that the Lao Government will also promote this spirit, resolving problems wherever they arise, and resolving them at whatever level of authority they have, without shirking or avoiding them.

"Special relations must have special mechanisms and treatments, from heart to heart, helping you is helping yourself. What comes from the heart will touch the heart," Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sincerely expressed and called on businesses of the two countries to continue to unite, unify, and help each other.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lao-xem-xet-chinh-sach-dac-thu-huong-toi-khu-cong-nghiep-chung-voi-viet-nam-20250109204152405.htm