The Party and State of Laos always support cooperation between Vientiane and Ha Noi, thus contributing to consolidating and deepening the solidarity and close ties between the two Parties, countries and their people, Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh said on November 4.

The Lao Prime Minister made the point during a reception for Chairman of the Ha Noi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh in Vientiane.

Briefing the host on cooperation between the two capital cities, especially in the Friendship and Solidarity Year 2022, the official emphasized that Ha Noi will continue to cooperate with and support Vientiane.

Earlier the same day, Chairman Thanh had a working session with Vientiane's Mayor Athsaphangthong Siphandone, during which the two sides shared their view on the significance and comprehensiveness of the 2022-2025 cooperation agreement between the Party Committees and administrations of Ha Noi and Vientiane.

At the end of the meeting, the two officials witnessed the signing of the first-ever memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two Departments of Industry and Trade, which is also a focus of the bilateral cooperation in the 2022-2025 period.

On this occasion, HPA Deputy Director Le Tu Luc said that the Departments of Tourism and Industry and Trade worked with local enterprises specializing in food, footwear and handicrafts to join trade promotion activities at That Luong Festival.

In the first seven months of 2022, Ha Noi's export turnover to Laos valued US$ 98.7 million. In the other hand, Ha Noi imported US$ 99.3 million of goods from Laos.

So far, Ha Noi has yet invested any FDI projects to Laos except for construction works and projects through the form of support and aid./.