Quang Tri, Salavan finalizes deal to foster relations

Quang Tri Province and Laos’ Salavan Province on March 19 inked an agreement to foster cooperation in the future.

The agreement comprises of 10 joint-effort activities. One of those is the implementation of the project on developing an economic corridor connecting Quang Tri, Salavan and Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathania Province.

Under the agreement, Quang Tri Province will finance its Lao peer some VND1.5 billion (US$60.6 million) to develop a socio-economic growth plan for the region of La Lay International Border Gate.

Quang Tri and Laos' Salavan Province authorities ink an agreement on mutual cooperation. Photo: Le Truong

The two provinces expect to build a mutual market and a car park at the border gate area. In addition, Secretary of the Quang Tri Provincial Party Committee Le Quang Tung suggested that the two localities upgrade the local infrastructures for coal transportation and get the coal conveyor project to kick off soon.

Furthermore, Tung recommended that Salavan authorities make upgrades to the La Lay International Border Gate, ease conditions for unloaded trucks to pass through the area, and extend the official working hours at the border gate to 10pm.

According to leaders of the two provinces, the improvement of infrastructure is the key to fostering their trading and social cooperation.

Tung said that Quang Tri’s achievements are the results of joint cooperation between the province and Lao partners, especially Salavan.

Since the cooperation deal between the two provinces was signed in 2023, they have reached positive outcomes during high-ranking officials’ visits and annual border security meetings, he said.

“Quang Tri and Salavan need to enhance our relationship by bringing the signed agreement into really-positive effect,” the Vietnamese official said.

At the meeting, Chairman of the Salavan Provincial People’s Council Siheng Homsombath highly valued the visits that Quang Tri officials have made to the Lao province as well as the outcomes of implementing the joint agreement signed in March 2023.

He said that the visits of Vietnamese delegations have helped strengthen the traditional friendship between the two provinces, especially when it came to implementing the contents of the agreement.

He specially thanked Quang Tri Province for its VND9 billion ($363,600) financial package, which has assisted Salavan to build new facilities for education and social security.

On the occasion, Vietnamese official Le Quang Tung representing the government and people of Quang Tri Province gave a financial package of VND150 million ($6,050) to the authorities and people of Salavan Province.

He also presented a Vietnam-Laos social house worth VND80 million ($3,230) to the family of Ta Me, a female resident of Phin B Village in Samouay District.

Le Truong - Huy Anh