Vietnam and Laos agreed to offer support to investors in legal and administrative formalities during the 37 th meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Inter-governmental Committee in Hanoi on January 21.

The event was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Vietnam – Laos Cooperation Sub-Committee Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Somsavad Lengsavath, who is Chairman of the Laos – Vietnam Cooperation Sub-Committee.

The Lao side said their government will consider approving land leases for licensed projects for rubber tree and industrial plant development.

On the political front, both sides will work to realise commitments made by leaders while proposing necessary mechanisms and policies.

They will also accelerate the implementation of the Vietnam – Laos cooperation strategy from 2011 to 2020, an agreement on Vietnam-Laos cooperation in the Lao provinces of Houaphan and Xieng Khouang until 2020 and the 2011-2015 cooperation agreement.

In trade, Vietnamese and Lao goods will continue to be entitled to preferential export-import tariffs.

Business communities will be apprised of any available tax incentives and receive support in border customs clearance.

The two sides also agreed that a plan for building markets along the Vietnam – Laos border through 2020 must also be put into action.

Concluding the event, both sides signed an agreement on bilateral cooperation between the two governments in 2015.

VNA