(MPI Portal) – On December 19th in Vinh Phuc, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairman of the Vietnam - Laos Cooperative Sub-Committee and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, Chairman of the Laos - Vietnam Cooperative Sub-Committee co-chaired the 35th session of Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee on economic, cultural, education, science and technology cooperation.
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Photo: Thanh Son (MPI Portal)
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The meeting was attended by members of the two Cooperative Sub-Committee of Vietnam and Laos, representatives of some Ministries, branches of the two countries, representatives of the Provincial People's Committee of Vinh Phuc Province, Houaphanh province and Xieng Khuang province.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has informed some features of the socio-economic situation of Vietnam in 2012, with estimated economic growth at 5.2%, the scale of the economy of about US$136 billion, income per capita of about US$ 1,540. Total export turnover was estimated at US$ 121.5 billion, up 14.6% compared with the same period last year.
At the session, Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad also informed some features of the socio-economic situation of Laos in 2012 with estimated economic growth at 8.3%, stable currency exchange rate with the Thailand Baht and the US dollar, CPI at about 5.7%, income per capita of about US$ 1,300.
Cooperation between the two countries have gradually developed strongly, going in-depth, practicaly and effectively
This is the judgment of the Vice Minister of Planning and Investment Cao Viet Sinh in the report evaluating the implementation of economic, cultural, education, science and technology cooperation in 2012 between the Vietnam - Laos countries.
As for the political and diplomatic fields, Vietnam and Laos have successfully organized many meaningful activities to welcome "The year of Viet Nam-Laos Union and Friendship 2012", held a number of important events such as the 7th Asia - Europe Parliamentary Partnership Meeting (ASEF7) and the 9th Asia - Europe Meeting (ASEM9).
In terms of cooperation in education and human resource development, nearly 6,500 Lao staffs, students have studied in the institutions of Vietnam, in which 37% are eligible for scholarships of the two governments.
Investment cooperation has been deployed on several major projects related to rubber, sugar cane, telecommunications ... the Ministry of Planning and Investment of the two countries have also actively coordinated to solve problems for Vietnamese enterprises investing in Laos.
By the end of 2012, Vietnamese enterprises have invested 440 projects in Laos with a total registered capital of US$ 5.38 billion, as one of the leading group of 53 countries and territories investing in Laos. In 2012, the Lao Government has licensed 09 projects in Vietnam with total registered capital of US$ 207 million.
In 2012, the two countries have carried out effectively the mechanisms and policies to promote economic cooperation including Cooperation Strategy between Vietnam and Laos in Houaphanh and Xieng Khuang Provinces and Protocol in amending the Agreement of encouraging and protecting investment between the two countries.
Trade cooperation between the two countries has been strengthened. Export turnover of Vietnam and Laos continued to grow, reaching 786 million in 11 months, up 23% compared to the same period in 2011. Estimated exports and imports of the two countries in 2012 reached US$850 million, up 17% from 2011.
Vietnam has gave precious support for Laos
Despite many difficulties, Vietnam has given great aid support to Laos. In 2012, 13 projects funded by Vietnam in Laos were completed and put into use.
In addition, some provinces and cities of Vietnam have supported effectively to Laos localities, typically Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa province and a number of other provinces, with supporting amount of 200 billion VND.
In order to enhance the autonomy of the Laos in aid absorption of the Vietnamese Government, the two sides signed an agreement on pilot Process of aid projects.
Promoting comprehensive cooperation on a variety of key areas
On orientations for cooperation in 2013, the Intergovernmental Committee of Vietnam and Laos have agreed to continue to focus on implementing the contents of the agreement between the two Governments in Cooperation Strategy 10 year period of 2011 - 2020 and the Cooperation Agreement 5 year period of 2011 - 2015 dated April 09th 2011 in Hanoi; accordingly focusing on the implementation of the contents in the Joint Declaration and the Senior Agreement between the leaders of the two Parties and the two States; continuing close cooperation, focusing on stable development of Vietnamese-Laos border; continuing to prioritize training and development of human resources of the two countries under the project "Improving the quality and efficiency of cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the field of education and human resource development for 2011-2020" and the Protocol on cooperation in personnel training; coordinating to solve problems and promote investment between the two countries; implementing the Project for trade development between the two countries in the period 2008 - 2015, striving to bring growth rate of exports and imports between the two countries in 2013 to reach 25%, promoting border trade; continuing to prefer aid funding of Vietnam for Laos, insuring quality and progress of the projects between the two countries.
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Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavad Lengsavath sign Agreement on economic, cultural, education, science, technology cooperation between the two Governments in 2013. Photo: Thanh Son (MPI Portal)
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Signing key Conventions and Agreements
In the end of the 35th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Vietnam, Laos, four important documents were signed, including: Agreement on economic, cultural, educational, scientific and technical Cooperation between the Government of Vietnam and Laos in 2013 and Meeting Minutes, Protocol amending the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic for the investment Promotion and Protection and Agreement on Cooperation Strategy between Vietnam and Laos in the two provinces of Houaphanh and Xieng Khuang ./.