(VOVworld)- A workshop on promoting cooperation between Vietnam’s central highlands and south-central regions with south-central provinces of Laos was held in Quy Nhon city, Binh Dinh province on Sunday.

It was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavat. In his address, Deputy Prime Minister Phuc praised Laos’ potential in agriculture, forestry, energy, mineral processing and tourism. He urged the two sides to accelerate agreements on trade and investment and establish mechanisms and legal frameworks to enhance investment in both countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said:“After this workshop, ministries and investors of the two countries need to focus on accelerating the implementation of signed agreements while ensuring their progress and quality and abiding by laws in their respective countries. It’s important to promote businesses’ social responsibilities, generate more jobs, protect the environment, contribute to poverty reduction, ensure social welfares and apply science and technology in the production. Local authorities of border provinces need to strengthen cooperation and diversify forms of cooperation to tap into local potential”.

At the workshop, the delegates heard a report on enhancing friendship between the two countries’ youths and witnessed the signing of a mechanism on comprehensive friendship between Youth Unions of Binh Dinh and Champasak province. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with his Lao counterpart Somsavat Lengsavat.