The conference was attended by Mr. Ha Phưoc Thang, Deputy Head of the Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly Delegation; Mr. Hoang Nam, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Tri Province; Mr. Phan Quu Phương, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue Province; and Ms. Dang Thi Hai Tam, Consul General of Vietnam in Savannakhet. 

From the Lao side, the attendees included Mr. Bounchom Ubonpasert, Governor of Savannakhet Province, along with leaders from the provinces of Houaphanh, Champasak, Attapeu, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane, Salavan, and the capital city Vientiane. 

Representing Quang Binh Province were Mr. Phan Manh Hung, Head of the Mass Mobilization Committee of the Quang Binh Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Phan Hoai Nam, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, and other representatives from various provincial departments and agencies.

In his welcoming remarks at the conference, Mr. Sensack Soulisack, Deputy Governor of Savannakhet Province, noted that the province's economic growth rate has averaged 7.8%, reaching an estimated 31.766 trillion kip, accounting for 13% of the national GDP, ranking second in the country after Vientiane. The GDP per capita is 28.8 million kip per year. The agricultural sector grew by 4.05%, making up 28.96% of the GDP; the industrial sector increased by 9.97%, accounting for 38.60% of the GDP; and the service sector grew by 7.94%, comprising 32.44% of the GDP.

This conference holds significant importance in enhancing the internal potential and strengths of the Lao provinces and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as other Vietnamese provinces. It also serves as a catalyst for businesses in Ho Chi Minh City and other Vietnamese provinces to conduct detailed research and seek investment and cooperation opportunities with businesses in the Lao PDR.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Ha Phuoc Thang, Deputy Head of the Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly Delegation, emphasized that the 2024 Trade and Investment Promotion Conference between the provinces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic is a crucial event. The Vietnamese government, in general, and Ho Chi Minh City, in particular, are eager to organize this conference to realize the goals of economic recovery, promote growth, and sustainably develop bilateral trade agreements, especially the Vietnam-Lao Bilateral Trade Agreement. Furthermore, the conference aims to strengthen and deepen the relationship between Vietnam and Laos, creating numerous opportunities for businesses on both sides to connect and explore cooperation for development.

In his remarks about the conference, Mr. Phan Manh Hung, Head of the Mass Mobilization Committee of the Quang Binh Provincial Party Committee, expressed his delight that Quang Binh Province is participating in the 2024 Trade and Investment Promotion Conference between the provinces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic. He highlighted the conference as an essential forum that creates opportunities for Vietnamese and Lao localities to share information, strengthen connections, and enhance cooperation in trade, investment, and tourism. It also aims to bolster the friendship and collaboration between Quang Binh Province and Lao localities.

Regarding the direction of investment cooperation and trade with Lao localities, Quang Binh Province aims to focus on attracting investment in areas where the province has significant potential and advantages, such as industry; agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; and tourism and services. To facilitate business development for investors and enterprises in the province, Quang Binh not only applies the Vietnamese government's incentives on taxes and land but also has its own policies to support investors and enterprises. These efforts contribute to local economic development and promote investment and business activities throughout the province.

The Trade and Investment Promotion Conference between the provinces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic aims to further strengthen the relationship between Vietnam and Laos. It creates numerous opportunities for businesses on both sides to connect and seek cooperative development opportunities, promising to boost trade between the two countries.