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Northern provinces seek to bolster economic, trade links
The government is encouraging administrators in the northern provinces to strengthen economic links regionally and internationally to bolster Laos' World Trade Organisa tion membership bid.
Mr Seumsouk Simphavong ( centre ) and Mr Oudet Souvannavong ( second left ) at the workshop in Xieng Khuang province.
The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, held a two-day workshop in Xieng Khuang province from November 22-23 to discuss opportunities and challenges in improving economic and trade links.
Representatives of businesses and commerce and industry sectors in Xieng Khuang, Huaphan, Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Xayaboury, Luang Prabang and Bokeo provinces attended the workshop.
To improve regional and international economic links, the northern provinces should make improvements in areas such as production, transportation, business process regulations and cooperation with Asean countries, President of the Xieng Khuang provincial Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr Khamphou Vannachak told Vientiane Times yesterday.
He cited the example of Xieng Khuang province placing a weight restriction on trucks transporting goods to neighbouring countries, in order to preserve road surfaces. This means traders must pay more for transportation, he said.
Many products do not comply with international standards and there is a lack of responsibility by the relevant sectors, while some producers have poor management systems, he said.
Many producers are not familiar with the regulations that govern the business they operate, said Mr Khamphou.
Xieng Khuang has the potential to use its abundance of natural resources to build a strong economic base.
The primary commercial products in the province are livestock, especially cattle and buffaloes, rice and sweetcorn, with most products exported to Vietnam, according to the provincial Commerce and Industry Department.
Xieng Khuang is about 400km from the nearest ocean and there are access roads leading to 90 percent of all villages, while 62 percent of the population has access to electricity.
Mr Khamphou said the province's natural resources hold promise for future development, particularly in hydropower, mining and tourism. However, support is required from the government to source funding for development projects.
The workshop was chaired by Xieng Khuang provincial Deputy Governor Seumsouk Simphavong and LNCCI Vice President Mr Oudet Souvannavong, with financial support from LUNA-Laos.
vientiane times
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