Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (right) on May 29 receives Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Huỳnh Thành Đạt. - VNA/VNS Photo

Vientiane – Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on May 29 applauded Việt Nam-Laos cooperation in science-technology and innovation as he received a delegation from Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology led by Minister Huỳnh Thành Đạt.

He affirmed that the delegation’s visit contributes to consolidating and cultivating the special friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

He appreciated the results of cooperation in the field of science and innovation between the two countries in recent times and thanked Việt Nam for supporting Laos in human resources training and infrastructure development to serve its science-technology development and innovation.

The PM asked for further cooperation between Việt Nam’s Ministry of Science and Technology and relevant Lao ministries and agencies in the coming time.

For his part, Minister Đạt said that the bilateral sci-tech collaboration has been continuously developing in diverse forms, better meeting the requirements for socio-economic development in each country.

From 2011-2021, Việt Nam invested over VNĐ100 billion (US$4 million) in nearly 25 joint research projects with Laos. Việt Nam also provided training for hundreds of Lao managers and dozens of researchers to improve their sci-tech research and management levels. Many Lao research organisations received Vietnamese support to improve their facilities and equipment.

On this occasion, Đạt proposed the Lao PM continue to support the bilateral cooperation in the fields of science and technology, innovation, intellectual property and quality metrology in order to contribute more practically and effectively to the sustainable socio-economic development goals of both countries.

He suggested Laos create favourable conditions and give more investment resources to scientific research, technology development and innovation activities.

Đạt also hoped for the Lao PM's support for cooperation projects between his ministry and Lao agencies. - VNS