Lao, EU commerce chambers broaden cooperation
Lao, EU commerce chambers broaden cooperation
Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and the European Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Laos (ECCIL) have broadened their cooperation in terms of the business environment and activities in Laos.
The cooperation agreement was signed last Friday at the ECCIL's office between Vice Presid ent of LNCCI Mr Oudet Souvannavong and Vice President of ECCIL Mr Paul Simcock. The ceremony was witnessed by relevant officials from both sides.
According to press release from ECCIL, the purpose of this agreement was to provide a framework for even deeper and broader cooperation between LNCCI and ECCIL. Both chambers support each other in their business activities and their efforts to improve the business environment in Laos, thus making the country and its business community better prepared for the coming Asean Economic Community (AEC) integration.
Some of the planned joint activities of the partners related to private sector development programmes include ‘RELATED', which is implemented by the German Development Agency GIZ and aims to establish closer economic cooperation.
Other activities will include conferences, training and workshops for the business community.
Both chambers already share a history of successfully implemented joint projects like the organisation of the AEBF in 2012, a variety of training workshops, advocacy work, capacity building and study tours.
Next month they will jointly publish the Business Confidence Assessment for Laos.
Mr Simcock welcomed the opportunity of signing an agreement to acknowledge the important contribution that LNCCI could make on trade related and business development issues.
He expressed optimism about the possibility for both organisations to successfully collaborate on business affairs and offer high quality services that are designed to effectively address the needs and concerns of the members of the two business organisations.
Mr Oudet congratulated ECCIL on its past achievements such as the publication of an investment guide and a salary survey for Laos and its development into a respected organisation with international outreach.
He welcomed the importance ECCIL had placed on trade facilitation and investment promotion within its operation framework.
Mr Oudet stressed that he was looking forward to jointly implementing activities to boost foreign and domestic investment in Laos and to develop services that increase the international competitiveness of the country and its business community.
vientiane times
