Viet Nam and Laos want to double their export turnover by 2015 from $1 billion now, says visiting Laos Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Nam Viyaketh.
Viyaketh told Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday an objective of his visit was to further promote trade relations and investment co-operation with Viet Nam.
Vietnamese enterprise investment in Laos was appreciated, he said, particularly that of the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group.
"They have contributed considerably to Laos's economic growth while carrying out many activities of social significance, including poverty reduction," Viyaketh said.
Deputy Prime Minister Phuc said Viet Nam had always held in high regard its special friendship and comprehensive co-operation with Laos.
"The Vietnamese Government will facilitate conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to operate in Laos and Laos enterprises to operate in Viet Nam," Phuc said.
This year is being observed as the Year of Special Friendship and Solidarity between Viet Nam and Laos.
It marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations and the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Viet Nam-Laos Friendship and Co-operation Treaty./.