VIENTIANE  — The Việt Nam - Laos technology transfer forum (Việt Nam - Laos TechConnect  2018) kicked off in Vientiane, Laos, on Thursday.

The forum attracted about 300 delegates from the two countries’ Ministries of Science and Technology, associations, businesses, universities and research institutions.

In his opening speech, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Trần Văn Tùng said the forum aimed to bolster co-operation in technology transfer among organisations and enterprises of the two countries. It helps connect technology researchers and developers of Việt Nam with governmental agencies and business communities of Laos, towards promoting commercialisation, application and the investment in technology in key fields of Laos such as agricultural product process and preservation, renewable energy, environment protection and information and technology, he added. 

According to Tùng, the event features 142 technologies and technological products from 23 units. The forum contributed to deepening co-operation between the two Ministries of Science and Technology and research co-ordination among scientists of the two countries, he noted. 

While highlighting the significance of the event, Lao Minister of Science and Technology Boviengkham Vongdara stressed that as the first edition of this kind, the forum could well bolster the science and technology development strategy in Việt Nam and Laos. It offered a good chance for the two sides to discuss the development of relevant projects in the field, he said. The two-day event also contributes to tighten solidarity, traditional friendship and strategic co-operation between the two countries, Boviengkham added. 

Việt Nam - Laos TechConnect 2018 includes discussion sessions on measures to promote technology transfer between the two nations; sustainable agricultural development, environmental issues and information and technology. Technology exhibition activities and the presentation of technological research results are also arranged within the framework of the event. 

Six technology co-operation and transfer contracts were signed between universities and enterprises of the two countries after the opening ceremony. 

Through the Lao Ministry of Science and Technology, Vietnamese units attending the forum handed over VNĐ150 million (US$6,608) as relief aid for Lao people affected by the recent collapse of the Sepien Senamnoy hydropower dam in Attapeu Province. — VNS