Lao, French firms seek to boost trade, investment links
Representatives from Lao and French enterprises gathered at a meeting in Vientiane on February 8 to discuss orientations for expanding trade and investment links between the two countries.
Vientiane (VNA) –Representatives from Lao and French enterprises gathered at a meeting inVientiane on February 8 to discuss orientations for expanding trade andinvestment links between the two countries.
Addressing the event, Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandon called on Laoand French businesses to make concerted efforts to help Laos successfullyimplement its Plan for Social-Economic Development in the 2016-2020period.
Laos aims to escape from the underdeveloped status by 2020,he said, adding that his country hopes to receive support from other countries,including France and French-speaking countries.
Participants held that the expansion of cooperation between Laos and France willlay a foundation for French firms to increase their investments in Laos.
The French Government has assistedLaos directly or indirectly through France’s development organisations, theFrench Embassy in Laos and other channels.
At present, the French Government is funding 28 projects in Laos, with anannual average cost of 15 million EUR.
In 2016, French investors poured 490 million USD into Laos, ranking sixth amongforeign countries investing in the Southeast Asian nation.-VNA
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Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
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Illustrative image (Source: annx.asianews.network) 
