Monday in Hà Ni, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Trn Hng Hà met with visiting Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara.
Deputy PM Hà lauded the signing of agreements between the Vit Nam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications, and he wished that the two parties would actively promote cooperation and technology transfer so that Vit Nam and Laos could expeditiously implement digital and green transformation together.
Laos could become a clean energy hub with its potential for renewables such as hydroelectricity, wind power, and solar power, he remarked, adding that this will be one of the determining factors for future investor interest.
Vietnam and Laos are encouraging tech exchange and collaboration.
Regarding digital transformation, the Deputy Prime Minister praised the results that the Laos information and communications technology (ICT) industry has achieved with the active and effective support of Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) of Vit Nam.
He expressed confidence that, in the near future, Laos will establish an effective ICT system that will help people benefit from the digital government and digital economy, replacing the development paradigm founded on depleting natural resources. The Lao ministry could “order” the Viettel Group to achieve greater digital transformation and digital society promotion objectives based on its experiences in Vit Nam.
Regarding the training and development of human resources, Hà requested that the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications identify specific needs and coordinate with the VAST to develop a government-level project in order to establish a solid foundation for cooperation and accompany Vit Nam along the path to innovation.
Boviengkham stated that the purpose of this visit was to promote the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation with the VAST in the areas of forecasting and warning of natural disasters and tsunami; research and technology training related to the fourth Industrial Revolution; and the construction of a national centre for cloud computing/Big Data applications.
According to the minister, the Lao ministry has close working relationships with the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and other ministries of Vit Nam, contributing to the strengthening and cultivation of the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations. — VNS
