Public and private sectors discuss business connectivity
Public and private sectors discuss business connectivity
Business connectivity along with facilitating trade and transport were intensively discussed by senior government officials from different ministries and business representatives at yesterday's meeting to further preparations for regional integration.
The consultation meeting was also to brainstorm and identify the difficulties being faced by various fields of business connectivity.
Also discussed were arrangements for an exclusive meeting of the government and its foreign partners to be held on July 28 in Vientiane.
In her opening remarks, Minister of Industry and Commerce Ms Khemmani Pholsena said it was a great opportunity for public and private representatives to talk about several important priorities regarding business connectivity.
“We will discuss trade and transport facilitation as well as arrangements in the business operating environment as part of connectivity,” she said.
She also noted that trade at borders should also be promoted to increase the trade value between the neighbouring countries.
“Many different issues need to be discussed because participants also play a key role in sharing their ideas and all recommendations will be inserted into the draft on business operation policies,” she said.
In the fields of business, trade, investment, tourism and services, the participants shared their ideas on various issues regarding preparations for the Asean Economic Community (AEC) at the end of this year.
Prioritised sectors were emphasised including the promotion of small and medium enterprises (SME), tourism promotion and regional connectivity.
Transport facilitation was also an important highlight to promote trade between Asean member countries when the AEC is formally unveiled by year end.
Swift access to finance for businesses and 24 hour border-crossing operations at any checkpoint in Laos to promote imports and exports were also discussed at the meeting.
“We should have 24 hour border-crossing checkpoints for efficient logistics assisting organic agricultural products that are produced fresh and need urgent distribution to customers within Asean countries,” Ms Khemmani said.
Currently the checkpoint at the 1st Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge closes at 10:30 pm, but extended hours are required for business connectivity.
Laos is preparing for AEC integration as well as prioritising plans and a framework ahead of the country's chairmanship of Asean next year.
The meeting included guest speakers from the National Economic Research Institute of Laos, National University of Laos, Young Entrepreneurs' Association of Laos and Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Representatives of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport also spoke about the logistics system in Laos and the development of infrastructure to provide better transport facilitation.
