October 1, 2012

Vietnam, Laos to continue improving comprehensive collaboration

By exchanging delegations and jointly implementing programmes and projects, the Ministries of Agriculture of Laos and Vietnam will continue boosting comprehensive cooperation.

The agreement was signed during the September 28 talks in Vientiane between Lao Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Vilayvan Phomkhe and the visiting Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong, who is on a five-day visit to Laos until September 30.

Accordingly, both sides will develop the production of a number of cross bred corn, rice and cassava varieties, and poultry and cattle breeds; enhance cooperation in animal and plant quarantine; conduct joint research on sustainable forestry development and build a bilateral forestry cooperation agreement.

They will also update information on regulations on natural timber exploitation and exports, promote trade activities and agro-forestry and seafood exchange and facilitate Vietnamese businesses' investment in tapping farms in Laos.

Vietnam will assist Laos to increase its capacity in investigating, monitoring and diagnosing dangerous and contagious diseases. It will also send experts to help develop agricultural production models and build agricultural extension stations in Laos.