Laos, Vietnam Deepen Cooperation in Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Boosting Vietnamese Investment

Laos and Vietnam have agreed to further deepen cooperation in the fields of agriculture and environmental protection, aiming to boost investment from Vietnam and promote sustainable development for both countries. During the visit, the Lao delegation held official talks with Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and paid a courtesy call on Pham Gia Tuc, Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam and Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The discussions reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation over the past five years. Deputy Prime Minister Pham reaffirmed the importance of the longstanding special relationship between Laos and Vietnam and expressed continued support for expanding cooperation in agriculture and environmental management. He also encouraged greater investment by Vietnamese agricultural enterprises in Laos to deliver practical and sustainable benefits for both countries. The Lao delegation also met with Vietnam's Minister of Finance to discuss measures to promote agricultural investment and strengthen economic cooperation. Vietnamese companies currently operate 276 agricultural investment projects in Laos, with cumulative registered investment exceeding US$6.2 billion. More than US$560 million in new investment was recorded over the past year, reflecting continued confidence in Laos as an investment destination. Both sides agreed to further expand cooperation in agriculture, forestry, and environmental protection, particularly by supporting Vietnamese investment in Laos. They also agreed to establish a joint monitoring committee to oversee Vietnamese investment projects and ensure their effective implementation. In addition, the Lao delegation met with several Vietnamese research institutions, including the Forestry Science Institute, the Agricultural Science Institute, and the Institute for Agricultural Planning and Design, to strengthen scientific and technical cooperation. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on technical exchanges and joint research. The delegation also held discussions with representatives of Vietnam's rubber industry and visited agricultural and food-processing facilities in Ninh Binh Province, including the Doveco fruit processing plant and surrounding agricultural production areas that supply raw materials to the factory. Officials stated that the visit further strengthened the special relationship between Laos and Vietnam while advancing comprehensive cooperation in agriculture and environmental management. The expanded partnership is expected to support food security, promote investment and bilateral trade, and enhance the sustainable management of natural resources, water, and the environment for the mutual benefit of both countries.