Laos seeks Thai help with financing, job skill improvement
Laos seeks Thai help with financing, job skill improvement
Laos is asking Thailand to provide more assistance in terms of capacity building for Lao labourers and boosting skill standards in Small and Medium Enterprises.
Easier access to financing and more business operation experience is also required, Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) President, Mr Sisavath Thiravong, said.
Mr Sisavath was speaking during the LNCCI Board Committee meeting with a delegation from the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Thailand's Board of Trade on Wednesday.
Skill standards in Laos are low compared to those in Thailand and other Asean countries because of poor training standards, he said.
Recognising Thailand's potential in terms of financial arrangements and experienced personnel, the LNCCI is now seeking cooperation and assistance in this field.
Laos has potential in natural resources, especially in the energy and mining sector, agriculture, and tourism, but still has a limited budget for development, Mr Sisavath reported.
Laos also has large areas of agricultural land but most farmers lack the technical expertise to produce commercial crops for sale and export, especially when it comes to soil improvement for higher yields and better quality, he added.
Logistical cooperation is also essential to develop the transportation network in Laos to link with neighbouring countries, especially Asean countries, he noted.
Laos has many special scenic spots that attract visitors, as well as strong cultural traditions and historical legacies, but road access remains poor in many places, he added.
Various foreign companies are investing in hydropower projects, some of which are from Thailand.
Investment by each sector in previous years has created job opportunities for local people, developed infrastructure and improved people's living conditions as part of socio-economic development, but more cooperation is needed to boost investment.
In terms of benefits, Laos should look to sustainable development and reducing environmental impacts.
Thai Chamber of Commerce Chairman and member of the Board of Trade of Thailand, Mr Isara Vongkusolkit, on behalf of the Thai delegation, promised to provide cooperation and assistance for mutual growth and benefits.
However, both chambers will need to formulate plans and coordination for each stage of implementation of the programme, he added.
Laos and Thailand have a longstanding friendly relationship, and trade and investment between the two countries is continuing to increase.
The Department of International Trade Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce reported that from 2008-2013 there were 290 Thai companies registered in Vientiane and 145 companies registered in the provinces.
