(VNA/VOVworld) - Delegates from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam have discussed ways to foster closer cooperation at separate meetings of the subcommittees for Economy, Security-External Relations, Environment-Society, and Local Coordination. The meetings are part the 8th Meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee for the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area now taking place in Vietnam’s Kon Tum province.

The 8th Meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee for the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area is taking place in Kon Tum province (Photo: kontum.gov.vn)

The three parties assessed the implementation of agreements reached at the 7th meeting in Laos last year and discussed future cooperation. According to participants, the deployment of the regional master plan has seen progress over the past two years and trilateral cooperation has driven local economies forward. Nouphone Khemmalay, Director of Laos’ Se Kong Department of Planning and Investment said: Vietnam is Se Kong’s biggest investor, with 14 projects totaling 500 million USD. Its investment has developed rural areas, generated more jobs, and stabilized local life.

Delegates touched upon other issues of mutual concern, including bomb and unexploded ordnance (UXOs) clearance in border regions and the upgrade of border gates for better connectivity in the economic corridor.

At the Economic Subcommittee meeting, officials discussed new proposals for an agreement that will boost trade cooperation among the three countries. They also agreed to try to maintain an economic growth rate of 10% per year and achieve a per capital income of 1300 USD by 2015.