Bùi Sỹ Lợi, deputy chairman of National Assembly Committee of Social Affairs, speaks a plenary session in Hà Nội on Wednesday.

The National Assembly Committee of Social Affairs opened its plenary session in Hà Nội on Wednesday discussing the revised Labour Code.

During the three-day meeting, the NA deputies would collecting opinions, explanations and adjustments for the revised Labour Code; and give assessments to the Government’s report on use and management of health and social insurance fund in 2019 and 2018.

The committee will also organise a meeting on explaining the implementation of independent mechanisms to public hospitals.

In Wednesday’s morning session, the deputies discussed the revised Labour Code.

The committee’s deputy chairman Bùi Sỹ Lợi said the revised Labour Code, so far, had basically completed the adjustment scope and subjects of applications.

Accordingly, the subjects of applications in the revised law are working groups without a labour relationship.

The law extends the scope of adjustments in terms of labour standards and conditions in order to ensure social welfare to the workers without labour relationships.

The revised law also defines the term “workers without labour relationships” in Clause 6, Article 3, and adds policies and State management regulations on promoting the law to worker groups in Clause 3, Article 4 and Clause 4, Article 212, Lợi said.

Referring to the maximum overtime working time frame, Lợi said the Government wanted proposals to continue to be discussed at the National Assembly despite it being turned down by the NA Standing Committee.

This gave the committee had two options to be presented in the NA meeting.

The first was to keep the maximum overtime as per the current Labour Code but increase the overtime to 40 hours instead of 30.

The second option was to increase the maximum overtime to 400 hours from 300 hours each year as per the Government plan.

The government had to also assess the impact of the overtime increase and set up payment regulations to submit to the NA.

Nguyễn Ngọc Phương, NA deputy of Quảng Bình Province said advanced technological applications had helped reducing labour force. So workers had more chances to work overtime, he said.

“If the work was heavy and hazardous, the overtime might be less. This depends on health and needs”, the deputy said.

“However in the non-hazardous sectors where the retirement age was raised, the increase of overtime was acceptable”, he argued.

The increase was not just for employers but also employees because they wanted to earn more as well, Phương said.

Meanwhile, deputy Nguyễn Quang Tuấn from Hà Nội said at present public servants had to work 40 hours a week while other labourers had to work 48 hours which was unfair.

The increase of overtime should be applied in specific circumstances and subjects, he said.

He also stressed the issue must be accompanied with provisions forcing employers to pay well.

Many deputies said reducing working hours was a progressive trend, especially in the context of increasing advanced technology and skilled workers. So the working hours should be reduced to ensure health and safety.

Increasing overtime with limited inspections and monitoring, and light sanctions to violations might lead to over exploitation of labour force by businesses

As a result, the employees would be exhausted earlier than their working age.

Some committee’s members agreed the retirement age increase but they acknowledged the complications of the issue.

In the end they agreed it was necessary to do the information dissemination to employees on their rights and plan a retirement age increase to each labour group. 

Vietnam values strategic partnership with Australia: Vice President

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (R) and Governor of Australia’s Victoria state Linda Dessau

Vietnam always treasures the strategic partnership and all-round cooperation with Australia, including people-to-people exchange and collaboration at local level, said Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh on October 2.

Receiving Governor of Australia’s Victoria state Linda Dessau, the Vice President said that the two foreign ministries are building a plan of action for the 2020-2023 period to concretise their strategic partnership, with priority given to cooperation between localities.

Victoria state has fruitful cooperative ties with Vietnamese localities, particularly Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, in the fields of education, culture and tourism, she said.

Vice President Thinh believed that following the Australian Governor’s visit to Vietnam, cooperation between Victoria, which is home to many famous and high-quality education institutes like the University of Melbourne and RMIT University, and Vietnamese localities as well as between universities will be more thriving.

She expressed her hope that Dessau will introduce more Australian businesses to Vietnam, and wished Victoria would continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese nationals to live and study in the state.

Dessau, for her part, affirmed the sound bilateral relations have provided a good basis for Victoria state and Vietnamese localities to enhance long-term and close cooperation.

Victoria stands ready to work with Vietnamese localities and enterprises in education, tourism, farm produce exports, high-tech agriculture and sport technology, she added./.

Lao Prime Minister visits Da Nang

Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith (R) and Vice Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Vo Cong Tri

Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith made a working trip to the central city of Da Nang on October 2, as part of his Vietnam visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

At a reception for the Lao leader, permanent Vice Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Vo Cong Tri affirmed that Vietnam – Laos relations of great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation founded and nurtured by generations of leaders and peoples have become an invaluable common asset of the two nations.

He said Da Nang has launched effective cooperation programmes with Lao localities and partners, and signed memoranda of understanding (MoA) on friendship and cooperation with five Lao central and southern provinces of Attapeu, Sekong, Salava, Champasak and Savannakhet.

Sisoulith, for his part, said friendship and solidarity between Party units, authorities and people of Da Nang and central Lao provinces have contributed to fostering Vietnam – Laos relationship.

As planned, the Lao government delegation will make a trip to Da Nang Hi-Tech Park and a local clean vegetable farming area on October 3.

Da Nang has launched projects in support of five central – southern Lao provinces in the fields of education – training, agriculture, school building, urban planning at a total cost of over 60 billion VND (2.6 million USD).

Since 2002, the Da Nang University has received about 750 Lao students. During the 2018 – 2019 academic year, Da Nang authorities granted scholarships to 84 Lao students./.

HCM City wants to promote cooperation with German localities

At the ceremony to mark the 29th anniversary of Day of German Unity (October 3) (Photo: hochiminhcity.gov.vn)

Ho Chi Minh City wishes to enhance effective cooperation with German localities, thus contributing to the ties of the two countries for peace and development, said Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan on October 2.

He made the statement in a speech at a ceremony to mark the 29th anniversary of Day of German Unity (October 3) held by the German Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

In his speech, Hoan laid stress on the comprehensive and effective cooperative ties and sound friendship between the two countries in the past time, saying Vietnam always sees Germany as its trustworthy and important trade partner in Europe.

On the basis of their fruitful relations, both sides will continue enhancing all-round cooperation, especially in trade, and work together to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the bilateral relations in 2020, he said.

The HCM City leader also highlighted the southern hub has made positive contribution to the bilateral relations. Last year, trade revenue between the city and Germany reached 2 billion USD, or one fifth of the Vietnam-Germany trade revenue.

Germany is running 151 investment projects in HCM City with many operating in areas of the city’s priority like manufacturing, processing, science and technology, transport and warehouse. The Vietnamese city is housing many important projects which are seen as milestones in the bilateral relations, including the German House, Metro Line No.2 and the International German School.

In addition, the city has carried out a wide range of activities to enhance cooperation with German localities like Frankfurt city and Thuringen state, he added.

German General Consul Josefine Wallat, for her part, expressed her delight over the sound Vietnam-Germany relations, saying 2020 will be an eventful year for both Vietnam and Germany as Vietnam will play the role as the ASEAN Chair, Germany will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU, and both sides are celebrating their 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties in the year.

The year will be an important time for both sides to boost their cooperation in various sectors, she said.

According to the German diplomat, as members of the UN Security Council in 2020, Vietnam and Germany should promote their roles and make concerted efforts for a better world, as well as work to ensure the enforcement of international laws and the exercise of freedom of trade and navigation based on international laws. Besides, they should enhance cooperative activities for regional and global peace, stability, cooperation and development./.

Spain wants new breakthroughs in relations with Vietnam: official

NA Vice Chairman Do Ba Ty (seventh, right) and other Vietnamese officials in a photo with Alfonso Rodriguez Gomez de Celis (seventh, left), the first deputy head of the Spanish lower house’s standing committee (Photo: daibieunhandan.vn)

A senior official of Spain’s Congress of Deputies expressed his hope for greater strides in cooperation with Vietnam in the time ahead while meeting with Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Do Ba Ty in Madrid on October 1.

The session between Ty and Alfonso Rodriguez Gomez de Celis, the first deputy head of the Spanish lower house’s standing committee, was part of a working visit to the European country by a high-ranking Vietnamese NA delegation from September 30 to October 2.

At the event, the two sides highly valued their countries’ strategic partnership.

The host official noted Spain was the first European nation to have set up a strategic partnership with Vietnam. Over the last 10 years, bilateral economic and trade ties have enjoyed many breakthroughs. Both sides have maintained cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks like the United Nations and cooperation mechanisms of the European Union.

He said his country wishes bilateral cooperation will enjoy more breakthrough developments in the time to come.

For his part, NA Vice Chairman Ty said the friendship and collaboration between Vietnam and Spain are currently on an upward trend, especially after the elevation of their ties to the strategic partnership towards the future in December 2009.

He affirmed that Vietnam always sees Spain as an important partner in the EU and hopes to promote bilateral connections, particularly in economy, trade and investment.

Over the past years, cooperation in economy, trade and investment has been growing unceasingly and become a major pillar in the countries’ relations. However, although the trade revenue of 3.15 billion USD in 2018 is an encouraging figure, it has yet to match the two sides’ potential and expectation, according to Ty.

During the session, the officials spoke highly of the two governments’ promotion of a meeting of the Inter-governmental Committee this year. They agreed to support the promotion of stronger links between Vietnamese and Spanish businesses, and for organisation of the first meeting of the committee on economic, trade and investment cooperation soon.

The two sides also called for stronger ties in the fields that match both countries’ potential and demand like oil and gas exploitation, renewable energy, infrastructure building, tourism, hi-tech agriculture, environmental protection and climate change response.

The host official added Spain has strength in tourism, which makes up 15-20 percent of its GDP, noting that he hopes the two countries will step up ties in this regard.

On this occasion, Vice Chairman Ty thanked Spain for advocating the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), asking it to continue pushing for ratification of these deals.

Both sides shared the view that the early enforcement of the EVFTA and EVIPA will generate practical benefits for businesses and people of the two nations.

At the meeting, Ty also called on the countries to keep close coordination at multilateral mechanisms, especially within the framework of the UN, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the Vietnam-EU cooperation.

As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, Chair of ASEAN in 2020 and Chair of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) for 2019-2020, Vietnam is ready to work with Spain and countries around the world to maintain peace, stability and security and to bolster relations among regions around the world, he noted.

He also asked Spain to continue enhancing ties in defence-security and personnel training to help Vietnam promote its defence capacity, thus contributing to regional and global peace and stability.

Regarding parliamentary cooperation, both sides agreed to increase mutual visits and the exchange of information and experience, while coordinating with and supporting each other at multilateral parliamentary forums of which Vietnam and Spain are members like the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP).

Vice Chairman Ty wishes the two parliaments will foster ties in supervising the implementation of the two governments’ cooperation deals, and support the countries’ governments, localities, businesses and people to boost mutual understanding and economic links./.

Vietnam signs Lahay Agreement on int’l registration of industrial designs

Minister Chu Ngoc Anh delivered necessary documents to join in Lahay Agreement to General Director of WIPO Francis Gurry

Representing the Vietnamese government, Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh delivered the document to join in Lahay Agreement (Geneva 1999 Act) at the head-office of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on September 30, 2019. This agreement, which is about international registration of industrial design, will be effective in Vietnam after three months from the submission day.

The participation in Geneva 1999 Act allows Vietnam the rights and duties only to all conditions in this agreement. Besides, Vietnam now has a right to discuss and vote for any issue raised for all acts in the agreement by the Lahay Alliance.

According to Minister Chu Ngoc Anh, the Lahay system is designed to allow the registration of industrial designs of any nation in need via only one application form, which is then submitted to WIPO using one approved monetary unit (the Swiss franc). This is much more convenient and time-saving for applicants to prepare all necessary procedures concerning protection registration, validity extension, intellectual property transfer.

Lately, the Lahay system has reported several noticeable improvements after the participation of developed economies like the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and Canada. ASEAN countries themselves are gradually joining in this advantageous agreement to simplify procedures to sign up for industrial designs, in hope of boosting the competitiveness of their own economies.

Statistics from the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam, the percentage of industrial design application forms by foreign individuals and organizations has increased by 15 percent per year. The proportion in 2015 grew by 16 percent compared to the previous year, followed by a rise of 20 percent and 15 percent in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

However, there still exist certain difficulties regarding proper procedures and cost, partially restricting the growth of registration by Vietnamese people abroad as well as foreign people in Vietnam.

At the moment, any Vietnamese individual or organization wishing to sign up for their industrial design protection in other nations has no way but to directly submitting their application form to corresponding intellectual property offices. This means they need to prepare their form in many languages and meet the demands of each country separately, not to mention extra costs. The similar situation happens to foreigners who want to register for their industrial design in Vietnam.

Due to that troublesome fact, the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam has to introduce suitable policies and actions to smooth the procedures, promoting trading activities between Vietnam and other nations. One such action is the participation in international agreements to simplify and harmonize needed procedures for intellectual property rights.

“Joining in Lahay Agreement answers real demands of domestic as well as international business people in signing up for their industrial designs. This action also ensures that Vietnam is fulfilling its commitment in the Euro-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and activities in ASEAN”, affirmed Minister Anh.

Waiting for related legal documents to be adjusted, Vietnam announced it is going to directly apply all regulations of Lahay Agreement to international registration of industrial designs in the country or from the country. The handling procedure of these international application forms in the national level will be treated according to current legal regulations, just like the national ones.

Obviously, Vietnam’s participation in Lahay Agreement is essential now that intellectual property is playing an increasingly important role in socio-economic development, leading to the need of simplifying and harmonizing procedures in accordance with international standards, especially for industrial design registration.

Can Tho city, Hungary foster cooperative relations

Leaders of Can Tho had a meeting with Hungarian Ambassador Ory Csaba on October 2 to discuss a Hungary-funded hospital project and the organisation of the European nation’s culture days in the Mekong Delta city.

Chairman of the Can Tho People’s Committee Le Quang Manh said the Hungary-funded oncology hospital project, with 500 beds and a total investment of nearly 1.73 trillion VND (74.5 million USD), is significant to the health sector of Can Tho and the Mekong Delta region as it will have the most cutting-edge equipment to not only provide treatment but also help with cancer prevention through early diagnosis.

Work on the hospital began in October 2017, and many facilities have been completed. However, he admitted, the progress is still lagging behind schedule because of many reasons, including those relevant the Hungarian side and legal procedures.

To accelerate the project, more equipment has been installed at the construction site and more personnel deployed, Manh noted, affirming that central agencies of Vietnam as well as municipal authorities have always kept a close watch on the project, and they hope that it will be sped up in the time ahead.

For his part, Ambassador Csaba said in case Can Tho or the investor needs help from Hungary, he is ready to join hands with the city to swiftly address difficulties to carry out the project on schedule.

At the session, the diplomat said his country wishes to popularise its culture in Can Tho in particular and Vietnam in general, and the Hungarian Culture Days, slated for November 15 – 22, will be an occasion to introduce the country’s images to local people.

At the approaching event, Hungary will introduce its tourism, cuisine, films, music and education; send businesses to Can Tho to seek investment partners; organise workshops on issues of common concern; and hold activities to twin the Vietnamese city with its Kaposvar city.

Notably, an exhibition of paintings by Hungarian artists will take place, Csaba said, extending an invitation to Vietnamese artists to participate in this exhibition.

Applauding the organisation plan, Chairman Manh emphasised the importance of cultural exchange between Can Tho and Hungary, noting that the city’s administration is willing to help the culture days be successful.

The official expressed his hope that in the coming time, the two sides will enhance their comprehensive relations, trade and investment. He also called on the European country to send business delegations to explore the local investment climate so as to further promote bilateral partnerships./.

Party official active in UK

Secretary of the Party Central Committee Phan Dinh Trac (fourth from left) and Executive President of the Communist Party of Britain Liz Payne (third from left)

A Vietnamese delegation led by Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of its Commission for Internal Affairs Phan Dinh Trac paid a working trip to the UK from September 25 – October 2.

In the UK, the delegation held working sessions with the Home Office, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Justice’s Serious Fraud Office, met professors from the anti-corruption research group at the School of Oriental & African Studies, and held talks with Executive President and Vice President of the Communist Party of Britain.

While in the Northern Ireland, they held working sessions with the All-Party Parliamentary Groups at the Northern Ireland Assembly, leaders of international cooperation agencies, the Department of Justice, the Committee on the Administration of Justice, the Cooperation Overseas, the Audit Office and the Police Service.

As part of the visit, they also paid floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at New Zealand building in London and visited the grave of Karl Marx.

During meetings, Trac affirmed that Vietnam always treasures ties with the UK, considering the UK one of the top important partners in Europe and the world and a priority in the country’s external policy, both before and after Brexit.

He expressed his wish to continue further deepening the Vietnam – UK strategic partnership and thanked the UK for supporting Vietnam’s run for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council for the 2020 – 2021 tenure.

Trac asked the UK and Northern Ireland to continue sharing experience with Vietnam in corruption prevention and control, thus creating a transparent, open and sustainable business environment.

Informing the UK of the recent complex developments in the East Sea, he spoke highly of the UK’s joint statement on the East Sea issue with Germany and France on August 29 and urged the UK to support Vietnam’s stance on the issue.

UK and Northern Ireland officials hailed the visit as an important effort to further promote anti-corruption collaboration and reinforce bilateral ties, especially at a time when the UK is going to make great changes in its relations with the EU.

They hoped that Vietnam will continue maintaining economic and trade ties with and create favourable conditions for UK business community in the country.

The hosts pledged to substantially enhance bilateral ties, affirming that the UK attaches importance to Vietnam in its strategy to intensify its ties with the ASEAN, and affirmed that the two nations hold many opportunities to step up ties within multilateral frameworks when Vietnam assumes the role of ASEAN Chair by 2020 and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and the UK serves as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

During talks with Executive President of the Communist Party of Britain Liz Payne, Trac informed the host of Vietnam’s socio-economic development, Party rectification work, national development goals and preparations for the 13th National Party Congress slated for early 2021, as well as the recent developments in the East Sea.

He proposed that the Communist Party of Britain continue working closely with the Communist Party of Vietnam in multilateral activities of political parties.

The host affirmed that the visit affords the two Parties and peoples a chance to raise mutual understanding and friendship.

She briefed Trac of the party’s efforts to protect the rights of the UK working class./.

HCM City intensifies efforts to complete socio-economic development goals

Ho Chi Minh City is exerting more efforts to complete the 2019 socio-economic development goals, heard a meeting of the municipal Party Committee on October 2.

Politburo member Nguyen Thien Nhan, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, chaired the 32nd meeting of the 10th-tenure municipal Party Committee.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tran Vinh Tuyen reported that the city’s economy continued growing in the first nine months of 2019 with the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) estimated at over 1 trillion VND (43.1 million USD), up 7.81 percent.

In January-September, the State budget collection proved effective, surpassing 287 trillion VND, up 7.23 percent, fulfilling 71.9 percent of the yearly projectioni. The total retail sales of goods and services rose by 11.9 percent over the same period last year. The export turnover exceeded 31 billion USD, a yearly rise of 10.5 percent.

During the period under review, the city welcomed over 6.2 million foreign tourists, up 14.3 percent year-on-year. It drew 5.43 billion USD of foreign investment, a year-on-year increase of 3.48 percent.

The positive results were attributed to local efforts in removing difficulties for investors and speeding up the implementation of projects.

Local authorities also visited businesses to collect their opinions to improve investment environment, business production, and competitiveness as well as address public matters.

According to Tuyen, the city proactively coordinated with ministries to unlock bottlenecks in the implementation of key projects.

So far this year, it has held 10 international workshops and conferences on various fields such as artificial intelligence, schemes to develop trees, parks, public lighting, human resources training, and smart tourism.

The city is also focusing on administrative reform and striving to build itself into a smart urban area./.

Diplomats trained to protect women migrant workers from violence

Melissa Alvarado, Ending Violence against Women (EVAW) Regional Programme Manager at UN Women, speaks at the event

A workshop is being held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UN Women in Hanoi on October 2 and 3 to enhance capacity for diplomats in protecting female migrant workers from violence.

Over 100 diplomats, most of whom will work in Vietnamese representative agencies abroad, attended the training workshop on response to violence against female migrant workers as part of efforts to protect rights, safety and dignity of Vietnamese female labourers working overseas. It is expected to contribute to promoting legal migration and Vietnam’s management of international migration.

The workshop is held within the framework of the programme “Safe and Fair: Realizing women migrant workers’ rights and opportunities in the ASEAN region,” to ensure female migrant workers in ASEAN are free from gender-based violence and enjoy decent work.

The Safe and Fair programme will help Vietnam enhance legal and policy frameworks on migrant workers, including those related to combating violence against women migrant workers and human trafficking, said Koen Duchateau, Head of the Cooperation Section of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam.

The event would provide an opportunity for attendees to discuss and put forward solutions to eliminate violence against migrant women when they work abroad, he added.

Melissa Alvarado, Ending Violence against Women (EVAW) Regional Programme Manager at UN Women, said many women migrant workers face multiple difficulties overseas, particularly becoming more vulnerable to violence, abuse and exploitation in all stages of the migration process. They often do not know where to seek help or there may be no support services available at the place or the time they need or in the language they can understand, she said.

Without access to essential services, women migrant workers are more vulnerable to labour exploitation and confront violence risks, said Chang-Hee Lee, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Vietnam Director.

The workshop is introducing to the attendees concepts about gender, gender-based violence, migration issues, human trafficking prevention in Vietnam and protection of Vietnamese citizens abroad as well as skills to respond to violence against women migrant workers.

The Safe and Fair programme is part of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, implemented through the ILO and UN Women, to end female trafficking and labour exploitation./.

NA leader welcomes Lao PM in Hanoi

National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (right) and Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith

National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met with visiting Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith in Hanoi on October 2.

The NA leader showed her delight at the good results of the Lao PM’s visit, with the release of a Vietnam-Laos Joint Statement on strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation in the new period, as well as the signing of important documents to further foster the bilateral partnership.

She affirmed that the Vietnamese NA always supports and creates all favourable conditions for the promotion of cooperation between the two countries as well as the implementation of signed agreements, while supervising the realization of the deals.

Briefing the guest on the outcomes of her recent visit to Laos, she said that she and her Lao counterpart Pany Yathotou discussed a number of measures to speed up the progress of the Vietnamese-funded Laos NA building project.

For his part, Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith said that he had successful talks with Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc. The two sides also signed eight cooperation agreements, he noted.

He proposed that the NAs of Vietnam and Laos strengthen the supervision of the implementation of collaboration deals reached between the two governments.

He said that the two sides will work hard together to implement the deals, thus creating breakthrough in bilateral partnership, while removing difficulties and obstacles arising during the cooperation process.

The Lao PM also informed his host that during this visit, he has met many major firms of Vietnam to listen to their difficulties when investing in Laos in order to seek solutions to them, thus promoting investment in the country.

He expressed the hope that the second dialogue of Vietnamese and Lao businesses will be held soon, giving him a chance to directly talk to Vietnamese firms.

At the meeting, NA Chairwoman Ngan and Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith shared experience on issues related to coordination mechanisms between the legislative body and the government, the process of building legal documents, the handling of complaints and denouncement, and the relations between provincial People’s Councils and the NA./.