Construction on a training centre for Lao science-technology management officials began in Vientiane on November 7.

The centre is built at a cost of 98 billion VND (4.45 million USD), including nearly 90 billion VND (4 million USD) in non-refundable aid from the Vietnamese government and the remaining from the Lao budget.

The ground-breaking ceremony.

Once operational by late 2017, the two-storey building, which will span across more than 5,200 square metres, is expected to train 600-800 officials per year.

Lao Minister of Science and Technology Borviengkham Vongdara, in his speech, described the project as a vivid symbol of close ties between Vietnam and Laos, and between the Vietnamese and Lao Ministries of Science and Technology in particular.

Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan, for his part, said the move is to train a contingent of competent science-technology personnel for Laos on its way forward.

Source: VNA