Re: VN & Laos Working Together

Date: January 11, 2004

"Central province pledges further assistance to Laos' province

Quang Tri, Jan. 2 (VNA) - Central Quang Tri province of Viet Nam has pledged further assistance to Laos' Savannakhet province in socio-economic development projects this year.

As planned, Quang Tri province will help Savannakhet build an industrial tailoring factory in Densavan and Saot border bridge and an international optical fibre cable line. In addition, Quang Tri will prepare for the construction of a guest house for Savannakhet at its Cua Viet port. The two provinces will coordinate to upgrade three minor bordergates that were opened in 2003. Furthermore, Quang Tri will assist Savannakhet in agricultural development and in education and training, supply new seedlings as well as promote the exchange of experiences in managing the Densavan trade zone in Savannakhet.

In 2003, Quang Tri helped Savannakhet build two major projects in Se Pon and Muong Noong districts and provided 20,000 coffee plants, 20 tonnes of fertilizer, thousands of pepper and cassava seedlings and a substantial number of pigs and poultry.

Meanwhile, Savannakhet has helped Quang Tri in searching for the remains of Vietnamese soldiers killed during the war and has also facilitated Quang Tri's entrepreneurs doing business in Laos."