China’s Chongqing municipality city eyes stronger economic ties with Laos

China’s Chongqing municipality city has expressed a wish to enhance bilateral trade with Laos by creating cities of friendship and setting up various trade facilities between the two countries.
Representatives of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) in Chongqing municipality city made the suggestion during a meeting with the Lao Ambassador to China, Mrs Khamphao Ernthavanh, while attending the 3rd Western China Fair of Investment and Trade last week.
The two LNCCI representatives, Zhang Yi and Fei Cui, who are President and General Manager of the representative office respectively, visited the Lao ambassador and her delegation at a hotel after a dinner during the fair.
According to the Laos-China Economic and Trade Association, Chinese trade officials affirmed the achievements made by the LNCCI in promoting exchange between Laos and Chongqing municipality city and nearby areas. These included exchange visits, cultural exchanges, and economic and trade exchanges.
They said they hoped this cooperation would continue and planned to take advantage of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year to further promote collaboration. The expected opening of the Laos-China railway in December will enable ties to be further strengthened.
Closer cooperation will also be enabled through the creation of China’s Chongqing-Champassak Sister City, Banan-Meuangxay friendly cooperation, and Beibei-Pakxe Friendly City relations.
Chinese officials said they wished to continue to build bilateral trade and create more overseas storage bases. They also hoped to operate more flights between Laos and China, encourage the expansion of Chinese business in Laos, and promote education cooperation between Laos and Chinese universities and vocational schools.
They suggested that Laos continue to actively participate in China’s high-end forums, exhibitions and related activities, expand the promotion of related policies and investment promotion, and encourage large businesses that are members of the LNCCI to visit China and work with counterparts there.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update May 25, 2021)