VietNamNet Bridge – An international scientific workshop themed "Socio-economic development in Viet Nam and Laos in the period of 2001-2010" was held in the Lao capital city of Vientiane on Monday.

The workshop bought together scientists, state management bodies and leaders of economic groups from both countries.

They focused upon breakthrough stages and a macroeconomic growth model; economic restructuring and development of key economic sectors in Laos; foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction and international economic integration; human resource development and ensuring social security.

Participants said that in recent years, Laos had achieved extensive growth by tapping into its advantages and natural conditions such as land, forests, minerals and hydraulic power, thus achieving a high growth rate for consecutive years and increasing per capita income.

They also suggested a new growth model for the Lao economy for the 2010–20 period and the following years which combines both extensive and intensive growth.

Vietnam assumes Presidency of ASEAN Brussels Committee

The Vietnamese embassy in Belgium on July 26 held the first session of the ASEAN Brussels Committee with the participation of ambassadors from ASEAN member countries in Brussels.  

Addressing the session, Vietnamese ambassador to Brussels, Pham Sanh Chau stated that assuming the rotating presidency of the ASEAN Brussels Committee (ABC) in the remaining months of the year, Vietnam wants to hold dialogues with leaders from the European Union (EU) and Belgium, promote the image of ASEAN, strengthen and broaden cooperative relations between ASEAN and EU in many fields.

In the remaining months of the year, the Vietnamese embassy will continue to organise visits to localities in Brussels to promote the image of ASEAN and its economic relations with the country of residence, ambassador Chau said.

At the session, delegates compared notes on ASEAN’s recent important events of ASEAN such as the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (44th AMM), and the 18th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the agreement signed between ASEAN and China on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

They also shared experiences in conducting negotiations on Free Trade Agreements with the EU and agreed on some activities to be by ABC in the future.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News