Vietnam boosts ties with Cambodia, Laos in development triangle area
VOV.VN - Vietnam always treasures its relations with its two neighbours and views its ties with both Laos and Cambodia as a strategic mission and top priority in the country’s foreign policy.
Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung made the statement on March 1 whilst chairing the 13th Meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee on Cambodia – Laos – Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area in Attapeu province in Laos alongside Laotian Minister of Planning and Investment Khamjane Vongphosi and Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul.
He suggested that Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam should all work out breakthrough measures relating to infrastructure and human resources development, as well as institutional reform, so as to carry out and build co-operation plans for the CLV Development Triangle Area.
The CLV Development Triangle Area, which was established 25 years ago, has contributed to promoting socio-economic development; regional connectivity; as well as exchanges among parliaments, governments, organizations, and peoples through comprehensive co-operation across transport, telecommunications, energy, trade, investment, industry, finance-banking, agriculture, tourism, and healthcare, among others, he said.
However, he pointed out that the results still lag behind expectations and have not yet created breakthroughs for the development of localities in the region.
Against this backdrop, he suggested that the countries prioritize resources to build key transport routes for cargo delivery to ports and shopping malls, as well as devising harmonious measures to develop human resources with a view to attracting investments, especially in areas of their strengths such as high-tech agriculture, renewable energy, mining, and tourism.
In the meantime, they should pen action plans aimed at accelerating the effective implementation of the agreements signed in the co-operation framework of the Development Triangle Area, along with studying to concretise and adopt special policies for the area to encourage trade and investment, focusing on border trade, along with economic and infrastructure development in border areas.
It is necessary to simplify procedures for the cross-border transport of goods, preservation of agricultural products, and quality verification to reduce labour and transport costs, he said, adding the countries should create favourable conditions for projects in high-tech agriculture, solar, and wind power energy, whilst also exploiting and processing industries.
He stressed the significance at rapidly and effectively carrying out an action plan to connect the three economies to improve competitive edge, lure foreign investments, and narrow the development gap with other ASEAN member states.
According to Minister Dung, besides the economy, the countries should pay due attention to strengthening co-operation in security-foreign affairs, society, and environment, as well as stepping up provincial-level collaboration.
At the meeting, the ministers all recognized the positive co-operation of the three countries to complete a report to review the implementation of the master plan on socio-economic development of the area until 2030 and put forth a draft vision for the area until 2030 and beyond. They agreed to submit the report and proposal to the 12th CLV Summit on Development Triangle Area in Cambodia this year.
They spoke highly of the countries’ efforts in carrying out the Agreement on Trade Promotion and Facilitation in the CLV Development Triangle, as well as asking competent agencies and localities to enhance trade promotion activities and attract enterprises from outside to land investment in the area.
Additionally, they encouraged the CLV nations to work closely with one another to seek support or financial resources for development projects, especially the realization of the Action Plan for CLV Economic Connectivity up to 2030.
The ministers reaffirmed the resolve to bolster ties in foreign affairs and security through the existing CLV co-operation mechanisms, as well as other bilateral collaboration frameworks to ensure peace, stability, co-operation, sustainable development, and prosperity in the area.
Furthermore, they also agreed to collaborate in climate change response, biodiversity protection, and development of the green and circular economy, among others, to further contribute to the sustainable and comprehensive development in the area and the three countries as a whole.
The CLV Development Triangle Area covers the four Cambodian provinces of Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri, and Kratie; the four Laotian provinces of Attapeu, Salavan, Sekong, and Champasak; and the five Vietnamese provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Binh Phuoc.
To date, Vietnamese businesses have invested in 110 projects with a total investment of US$3.7 billion in the development triangle area in both Laos and Cambodia.
