The agreement was signed on June 27 during a working visit to Hai Duong by a high-level delegation from Vientiane led by the province’s governor Khammung Phomthadi.

At a meeting with Bui Thanh Quyen, Secretary of the Hai Duong provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Hai Duong People’s Council, the two sides compared notes on socio-economic developments and reviewed outcomes of the implementation of the friendship cooperation agreement signed in 2007.

They outlined an array of activities to boost socio-economic and sustainable developments such as exchanging experience, assisting Vientiane in investment attraction and urban development and transfer of agricultural technologies.

Both host and guest agreed to continue annual exchanges of high-ranking delegations and reached consensus on policies regarding the consolidation of the Vientiane-Hai Duong cooperation centre mechanism.

On behalf of the Lao President, Khammung Phomthadi, handed over the first-class Labour Order to Hai Duong province. Vientiane province also presented certificates of merit to the provincial departments of Planning and Investment; and Agriculture and Rural Development.