Sharing at the 44th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation between Vietnam and Laos on the morning of January 10 in Hanoi, the leaders of the two countries affirmed that the two countries' relations have developed strongly, contributing to the development of bilateral relations between the two countries. bilateral development. The meeting was co-chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Phankham Viphavanh.

The two leaders emphasized that in the context of the world and regional situation in the past year, there were many complicated and unpredictable developments, especially the Covid-19 epidemic, the two sides still maintained visits and contacts, telephone conversations and important bilateral cooperation mechanisms, effectively supporting each other in disease prevention and control, as well as maintaining the good development momentum of cooperation in many fields are proofs of great efforts and determination of both countries for the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos.

Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh thanked for the warm welcome of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Government of Vietnam; highly appreciated Vietnam's success in carrying out the "dual task" of both prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic and socio-economic development.

Despite the complicated international situation and the widespread spread of the Covid-19 epidemic, the political-foreign relations between Vietnam and Laos are increasingly developing and deepening. , the overall orientation of the relationship between the two countries; effectively support and help each other in international and regional multilateral cooperation forums; mutual assistance in the spirit of brotherhood in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic in each country.

The Intergovernmental Committee, chaired by the two Ministers of Planning and Head, continues to promote its effectiveness and promote the implementation of cooperation agreements in all fields; During the year, the ministries, branches, localities and enterprises of the two sides signed 25 important cooperation agreements on the occasion of the visits and under the witness of the leaders of the two parties of the two countries. Close defense and security cooperation, well perform the maintenance of political stability, social order and safety of each country.

With 209 projects granted valid investment certificates to Laos, with a total registered investment capital of about 5.18 billion USD, Vietnam continues to maintain the 3rd position among countries with investment activities in Laos. Laos (after China, Thailand). In 2021, there are 5 newly granted projects and 4 capital increase projects, total registered capital is 112.84 million USD, up 27% compared to 2020 (88.74 million USD). The accumulated realized capital is about 2.5 billion USD, equaling 48.4% of the total registered capital.

Many projects continue to operate with good efficiency, fulfilling financial obligations to Lao state agencies, creating stable jobs for thousands of Lao workers, making important contributions to the process of economic regulation. of Laos; It is very remarkable that the number of Vietnamese enterprises paying more than 1 billion USD to the Lao budget in the past 5 years as well as the funding for social security work in Laos by Vietnamese enterprises reached about 80 million USD.

Trade turnover between the two countries still has a remarkable growth. It is estimated that the whole year of 2021 will reach 1.3 billion USD, an increase of 30.3% compared to 2020. The bilateral trade agreement between Vietnam and Laos signed in 2015 valid until October 2020 has also been extended to October 2023.

Cooperation in electricity purchase and sale continues to be promoted; currently implemented in 2 projects with a total capacity of 572 MW and signed 20 power purchase agreements (PPAs) with investors to buy electricity from Laos with a total capacity of nearly 1,500 MW; is continuing to support other projects that have been developed and are capable of transmitting electricity from Laos to Vietnam according to schedule.

The two sides highly agreed on the direction of cooperation in 2022 and proposed many strong and practical measures to further deepen political and diplomatic relations between the two countries.