HCM City (VNA) – Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen had a meeting with visiting General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith on September 12, during which he said he hopes that the top Lao leader will continue directing Lao localities to bolster cooperation with Vietnam’s southern economic hub.

At the meeting, Nen congratulated the Lao Party, State and people on the significant achievements that they have carved out over the past time, helping improve the country’s position and prestige in the international arena, and expressed his belief that under the leadership of the LPRP led by Thongloun, Laos will gain further success, and build a nation of peace, independence, democracy, unity and prosperity.

He also briefed the top Lao leader on the city’s socio-economic achievements, and took the occasion to thank Laos for the support it has given to the city during its construction and development process.

Nen affirmed that HCM City always strives to concretise the agreements between the high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and States, contributing to promoting the cooperation between the city and Lao localities and the two nations as a whole, particularly in the domains of trade, tourism, investment, agriculture, human resources training and cultural exchange.

Sisoulith, for his part, complimented the city on its achievements in economic growth and social security, among others, stressing that he believes the city will continue reaping more attainment in the coming time.

He underscored that the Lao Party and State give top priority to the consolidation and enhancement of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, while speaking highly of the friendship and collaboration between HCM City and Lao localities over the past time.

He added that he hopes HCM City will continue bolstering cooperation with Lao ministries, sectors and localities, saying he will direct them to work closely with the city to effectively carry out the agreements between high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and States, making contributions to the ties between the two Parties, States and peoples.

The same day, Thongloun attended a ceremony to launch a campaign in support of victims of Typhoon Yagi held by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of HCM City.

Right at the ceremony, the committee received 58 billion VND (2.25 million USD) in cash, and 6.29 billion VND in kind from 91 organisations, agencies, businesses and individuals./.