(VOVworld)- President Truong Tan Sang on Friday left Vientiane for Champasak province, continuing his official visit to Laos. He joined a discussion to promote Vietnamese investment in Laos the same day. During the meeting in Champasak province, officials of the 2 countries’ Ministries of Planning and Investment said Vietnamese investment in Laos has been rising despite world economic difficulties and reached 3.4 billion USD. Laotian Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lenhsavat pledged the government’s support for Vietnamese enterprises operating in Laos. State President Truong Tan Sang expected more investment cooperation between the two countries. He said:“I hope both countries will make further progress in bilateral relations this year. We expect to reach a two-way trade turnover of more than 2 billion USD by 2015. Vietnamese investment in Laos will increase in both project scale and quality.”

The President witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two Chambers of Commerce and Industry and credit and service supply agreements for Vietnamese companies in Laos.

Earlier, President Sang visited a latex processing factory of the Vietnam-Lao Joint Stock Company, the first overseas investment project  by the Vietnam Rubber Corporation. The President commended the company’s efforts to invest in Laos, which he said has helped create jobs and improve local people’s living standards.

Later on, President Truong Tan Sang attended the inauguration ceremony of the Paksong radio and TV relay station, which is funded by Vietnam’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). The event which vividly demonstrates the friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos celebrates the 50^th anniversary of the special bilateral ties.

A banquet is given to President Truong Tan Sang and his entourage

Previously, President  Sang attended a banquet hosted by Lao Party General Secretary and President Chummaly Sayasone, who said the Vietnamese President’s visit has enhanced the deep sentiment, special solidarity and loyal relations between Vietnamese and Lao Party, State and people. President sang reiterated that Vietnam will exert its utmost effort to promote the bilateral tradition and build prosperous countries of Vietnam and Laos to ensure a happy and sufficient life for both peoples.

The Vietnamese President on Thursday met with Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Lao National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotu. He also received Lao war veterans and visited the Vietnamese Embassy.

VOV