Vietnamese firms in northern Laos strengthen ties to weather difficulties
More than 50 Vietnamese enterprises operating in eight northern provinces of Laos gathered at a conference held by the Vietnamese Consulate General in Luang Prabang province on December 13.
A representative (standing) of a Vietnamese company in Xieng Khouang province speaks at the conference on December 13 (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA)– More than 50 Vietnamese enterprises operating in eight northern provinces ofLaos gathered at a conference held by the Vietnamese Consulate General in LuangPrabang province on December 13.
Noting certain difficulties facing them innorthern Laos, the companies said this region, accounting for nearly half ofthe country’s area and two-fifths of the total population, features mountainousterrain, limited transport and communication infrastructure, scatteredpopulation, and weak purchasing power.
There are also some obstacles relating to legalregulations and authorities’ bureaucracy, they said, admitting their ownweaknesses relevant to capital, technology, management capacity, quality ofhuman resources, and businesses’ connectivity.
Vietnamese Consul General in Luang PrabangNguyen Dang Hung said the conference was held to receive Vietnamese firms’opinions so that the Consulate General can help them tackle hindrances andboost connectivity among enterprises, creating a prerequisite for the formationof a Vietnamese business association in northern Laos.
Participants in the event agreed to makepreparations for the establishment of the Vietnam Business Association forCooperation and Investment in Northern Laos.
Vietnam now ranks third among the countries andterritories investing in Laos with over 400 projects worth some 4.2 billionUSD, according to the Association of Vietnamese Investors in Laos./.
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A representative (standing) of a Vietnamese company in Xieng Khouang province speaks at the conference on December 13 (Photo: VNA) 
