Wood chíps loaded at Vũng Ánh Port in the central province of Hà Tĩnh. Photo haiquanonline.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — Results of cooperation between the Ministries of Planning and Investment, as well as the Cooperation Committees of Laos and Việt Nam in recent years have made important contributions to the development of the two countries’ relations, Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Khamjane Vongxa said on Friday.

In an interview granted to the media of both countries, Minister Khamjane stated that 2022 is a year of great historical significance when the Lao Party, army and people are co-ordinating with the Vietnamese side in carrying out many practical activities to celebrate the Laos-Việt Nam Friendship and Solidarity Year marking 60 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations and 45 years of the signing of the Treaty on Amity and Co-operation between the two countries.

In 2021, despite complicated developments in the regional and world situations, the bilateral great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation were enhanced.

This year, the two sides continue to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms; implement joint statements, bilateral cooperation agreements and documents as well as the outcomes of visits and meetings between their leaders in appropriate forms; coordinate and effectively organise activities on the occasion of the Friendship and Solidarity Year 2022; and pay attention to preventing drug, human trafficking and smuggling crimes and illegal exploitation of natural resources, he said.

Regarding economic cooperation, the minister stated that Việt Nam had to date invested in 417 projects worth US$4.3 billion, ranking third out of 54 nations and territories pouring capital into Laos.

Last year, two-way trade hit $1.37 billion, up 33.3 per cent year-on-year. They are striving to increase the turnover by 10-15 per cent this year.

The two countries are also making efforts to promote connectivity between the two economies, including hard and soft infrastructure, especially road, railway, airport and seaport projects such as Nongkhang Airport, Vũng Áng 1,2,3 wharves, Laos-Việt Nam railway and Hà Nội - Vientiane expressway. VNS