Officials and entrepreneurs from Vientiane, Laos, had a working session with Ho Chi Minh City’s Investment and Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) on September 13, aiming to boost bilateral trade.

Berlin Phetchantharath, Director of Vientiane’s department of industry and trade, said through this visit, the Lao delegation wants to guide development of trade with the Vietnamese southern hub and to help Vientiane businesses seek partnerships.

Visitors to the Vietnam-Laos trade fair in Vientiane in 2015

The Lao capital plans to develop its retail network and wants Ho Chi Minh City enterprises to build supermarkets and trade centers there, he added.

ITPC Deputy Director Ho Xuan Lam promised his center will support Vientiane and Ho Chi Minh City companies in popularizing Lao goods among local consumers.

In the short-term, the ITPC will use part of its showroom on the downtown street of Nguyen Hue for Lao firms to display products. It will also help the Lao side organize a pavilion at a hi-tech agriculture and food processing fair (Hi-Tech Agro), which will be held in Ho Chi Minh City this November, he said.

Trade between Ho Chi Minh City and Laos exceeded USD 6 million in 2015, according to the Sai Gon Giai phong (Liberated Saigon) daily.

Source: VNA