On June 2, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang held a working session with a delegation from Quang Tri Province led by Le Duc Tien, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, to discuss the progress of developing a pilot Agreement on the establishment of the Lao Bao (Vietnam) - Densavan (Laos) Cross-Border Economic and Trade Zone.  

During the meeting, Quang Tri province reported on the process of researching and developing the proposal and draft agreement, the results of coordination with central ministries and agencies as well as relevant Lao authorities, and proposed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade continue supporting and coordinating efforts to advance the agreement, thereby establishing a legal framework for the formation and operation of the Lao Bao - Densavan Cross-Border Economic and Trade Zone.

Representing the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Do Quoc Hung, Acting Director General of the Agency for Foreign Market Development, stated that the Ministry is currently reviewing the political and legal foundations, as well as the existing documentation related to the proposal. 

The Ministry has also sent an official diplomatic note to the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce, informing the Lao side that Vietnam has been assigned to take the lead in studying and drafting the agreement, and requesting Laos to designate an official focal point to facilitate bilateral exchanges and coordination during the preparation for negotiations.

In discussions with the Quang Tri delegation, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang highly appreciated the province’s proactive efforts over many years in researching the model of the Lao Bao - Densavan Cross-Border Economic and Trade Zone, as well as its close coordination with central ministries and agencies and Savannakhet Province in developing the proposal and draft agreement.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that the establishment of the Lao Bao - Densavan Cross-Border Economic and Trade Zone is of significant importance in promoting Vietnam - Laos economic connectivity, enhancing the role of the East - West Economic Corridor, and contributing to the implementation of cooperation orientations and directives that have received close attention from the senior leaders of both countries in recent years.

Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang further stressed that the Agreement between the Government of Vietnam and the Government of Laos constitutes an international treaty concluded in the name of the two governments and therefore must be developed in full compliance with the procedures stipulated in the Law on International Treaties. These procedures include preparing the required documentation, seeking approval for negotiation, formulating negotiation plans, establishing an inter-agency negotiating delegation, and conducting negotiation rounds with the Lao side.

The Deputy Minister called on the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Quang Tri Province to continue working closely together in reviewing existing documents and materials, carefully assessing the feasibility of the special mechanisms and policies proposed for inclusion in the agreement, and preparing comprehensive practical and legal justifications to support the submission of a negotiation proposal to the competent authorities for consideration.

Regarding coordination with Laos, the Deputy Minister urged the continuation of exchanges with Savannakhet Province and relevant Lao agencies in order to facilitate the designation of an official focal point on the Lao side, thereby creating favorable conditions for the preparation of future negotiations.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang assigned the Agency for Foreign Market Development to serve as the focal point in coordinating with Quang Tri and relevant agencies to continue reviewing documentation, studying appropriate implementation steps, and advising the Ministry’s leadership throughout the process of developing the pilot Agreement on the establishment of the Lao Bao - Densavan Cross-Border Economic and Trade Zone in accordance with legal regulations and the directions of competent authorities.