Vietnam - Laos aim for 10 billion USD trade target

TPO - General Secretary To Lam suggested that Vietnam and Laos promote connectivity projects, especially in the fields of transport and energy, striving to achieve the trade growth target of 5 billion USD, aiming for 10 billion USD in the coming years.

On the afternoon of December 1st, General Secretary To Lam held a meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone during his state visit to Laos.

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone expressed his pleasure at meeting General Secretary To Lam again, highly appreciating the State visit to Laos by the General Secretary, his wife, and the high-level Vietnamese delegation; emphasizing that the presence of General Secretary To Lam and the high-level delegation of the Vietnamese Party and State made an important contribution to the success of the 50th anniversary of Laos' National Day.

General Secretary To Lam meets with the Prime Minister of Laos. Photo: VNA.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone expressed his deepest condolences to the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for the loss of life and property during the recent storms and floods, and expressed his firm belief that the people in the affected areas will soon overcome the difficulties and stabilize their lives.

The Lao Prime Minister thanked General Secretary To Lam for his continued attention and close guidance to the Vietnamese Government in coordinating with the Lao side to implement high-level agreements, especially in economic cooperation. He also affirmed that he would direct ministries, sectors, localities, and relevant agencies to actively resolve difficulties faced by Vietnamese businesses, create more favorable conditions for businesses investing in Laos, and connect and improve the investment environment in a substantive way, encouraging large Vietnamese corporations to continue expanding their investments in Laos.

General Secretary To Lam warmly congratulated the Lao people and country on their great achievements in socio-economic development; affirming that Vietnam always gives the highest priority to consolidating and strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with Laos.

The General Secretary shared with the Lao Prime Minister the results of his talks with General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, agreeing on extremely important issues for the bilateral relationship in the new era of development, including strategic alignment.

The General Secretary suggested that the two Prime Ministers continue to direct the agencies of the two countries to coordinate closely and actively implement the commitments and agreements of the high-level leaders of the two countries.

Both sides highly appreciated the efforts of the relevant ministries and agencies of the two countries in coordinating and promoting the completion of several key projects that marked an important milestone during this visit, such as the commissioning of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Park in Vientiane and the inauguration of the Friendship Hospital in Hua Phan province.

The meeting took place on December 1st. Photo: VNA.

The General Secretary suggested that the two countries continue to strengthen political trust, maintain exchanges of delegations and high-level contacts through all channels, and successfully organize the 48th Session of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee, which will take place immediately after the high-level meeting of the two Parties on December 2nd, to implement the results of the high-level talks and high-level agreements between the two countries, including strategic alignment, strategic alignment on development vision, spatial and infrastructure alignment, economic corridors, logistics, energy, and green transformation.

The General Secretary suggested that both sides should promote more practical and effective economic cooperation, making it a real pillar in the comprehensive Vietnam-Laos cooperation relationship, continuing to implement key cooperation projects and ensuring progress; promoting connectivity projects, especially in the fields of transportation and energy, striving to achieve a trade growth target of 5 billion USD, aiming for 10 billion USD in the coming years.

With defense and security cooperation being a pillar of cooperation, originating from the natural factors between the two neighboring countries, sharing the same goals and interests in building a peaceful and stable country, the General Secretary suggested that both sides promote this pillar of cooperation, maintain political and social stability, protect and do a good job in border work.

The General Secretary affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to supporting Laos in improving the quality of its human resources and will continue to prioritize the training of cadres, especially strategic-level leaders and key management cadres at all levels, in order to form a team of cadres with full capacity and a deep understanding of the special solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos.

The General Secretary suggested that the two sides coordinate to promote propaganda and education about the traditional special solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos, especially for the younger generation; and strengthen cooperation between localities, especially key provinces in terms of security and economy of the two countries, and border localities.

General Secretary To Lam proposed that both sides strengthen information sharing, coordinate closely, and support each other in international and regional forums and sub-regional mechanisms; deepen the cooperation and integration process of the ASEAN Community, strengthen ASEAN's solidarity and central role, and maintain ASEAN's common voice on strategic issues of the region.

On the afternoon of December 1st, General Secretary To Lam held a meeting with the President of the Lao National Assembly, Saysomphone Phomvihane. Immediately afterwards, General Secretary To Lam and President Saysomphone Phomvihane attended the ceremony to launch the e-book "50 Years of Relations between the Vietnamese and Lao National Assemblies: Comprehensive Cooperation and Development" at the Lao National Assembly headquarters.

On the same day, General Secretary To Lam and his wife met with embassy staff and the Vietnamese community in Laos.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/viet-lao-huong-toi-muc-tieu-thuong-mai-10-ty-usd-post1801089.tpo