During a working visit to Laos from July 19^th-21^st, a delegation from the Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) led by Minister Cao Duc Phat had a meeting with a delegation from the Laos’ Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry led by Minister Vilayvanh Phomkhe.

Minister Phat and Minister Vilayvanh Phomkhe in the signing ceremony of cooperation plans (Photo: baotintuc.vn)

The activity belonged to the annual conferences between the two ministries in 2015 and in the framework of the cooperation agreement between the two Governments.

Accordingly, Vietnam and Laos will increase the comprehensive cooperation in forestry, fishery and rural development, with a focus on science and technology , training, investment and commerce, which was set in the cooperation plan for 2015 and 2016 during the meeting.

The two sides agreed to continue requesting capital from the two countries’ cooperation sub-committee for programs and projects in 2016, including supporting the development of agriculture, rural areas and commodities’ production in villages depending on irrigation works; building agricultural technique service centres in Xieng Khouang and Hua Phan provinces; building the irrigation systems in Vieng Thoong district in Hua Phan province and in Noong Boc district in Khammouane province.

In terms of cooperation between the two ministries, the two sides reached a consensus on increasing cooperation by exchanging high ranking delegations, carrying out programs and projects agreed by the two ministries and accelerating training and technological transferal in fruits and aquaculture.

The two sides also planned to increase exchanges of experts to enhance training and research ability among institutes, universities and colleges under the two ministries.

Concluding the meeting, Minister Phat and Minister Vilayvanh Phomkhe signed a deal of cooperation in agriculture, forestry, fishery and rural development in 2015 as well as the following cooperation plans between the two ministries./.

( Compiled by VNF )