Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung is expected to attend the Greater Mekong Sub-region Summit (GMS) in Laos March 30-31. The summit’s theme, “Enhancement of Competitiveness via Greater Connectivity,” will focus on boosting cooperation and transport between public and private sectors and to develop investment and trade in the Greater Mekong region. Aside from Vietnam and Laos, leaders from GMS members – Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and China will be in attendance.

Since 1989 Vietnam has invested roughly USD 600 million in Laos according to the Lao Planning and Investment Ministry. The projects primarily focus on agriculture, industry, handicraft, garments, banking, energy, and hotel-restaurant businesses. The mining sector has accounted for 15 projects worth an estimated USD 33 million, while the agro-forestry industry has 25 projects worth USD 117 million. The energy sector has been the primary area of investment with two hydropower plants attracting nearly USD 270 million.

Sweden has decided to close their embassy in Laos on Aug 15, 2008. The Swedish Charge d'Affairs, AnnLis Aberg, cited the slow progress of political reforms as one one factor leading to the decision. Sweden is also closing embassies in Vietnam and the Philippines and the moves also reflect a larger movement towards focusing development in Africa instead of Asia.

The Laotian National Assembly began its session December 5, 2007 with a speech by President Thongsing Tahmmavong outlining plans for the session. The session will consider the government report on public expenditures for fiscal year 2007-2008 and discuss the election of the President of the Central Audition Authority. In addition, 8 laws will be considered and adopted; these laws involve action on aquatics and wildlife, intellectual property, fire prevention, standardization, drugs, sports, trade unions, and forestry.

Pan Australian Resource’s Phu Kham Heap Leach Gold Operation has reached record levels with their gold shipments in October totaling over 4,400 oz. The record production is a result of a new strategy of seasonal operation in the dry months. Pan Australian Managing Director, Mr Gary Stafford, said that under this new leaching regime, heap leach gold production is expected to out-perform previous estimates of 3,000 oz per month between October and April.

During the Bangladesh-Laos Trade discussions, Laos stated that its country is planning to import agro cultural, constructions, health and other products from Bangladesh and also intend to conduct joint ventures with the Bangladeshi business organizations. Laos and Bangladesh are planning to establish stronger cooperation in trade, investments as well as tourisms.

China Southern Power Grid plans to begin work on the Nam Tha 1 hyrdoelectric plant in Laos' northern Bokeo province early next year. The deal was announced last Tuesday in the Lao newspaper Vientiane Times. Capitalized at 65.7 billion kip (US$340 million), the 168-megawatt power plant is scheduled to become operational by November 2011 according to the Laos Electricy Department.

At a meeting on Sunday, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung and his Lao counterpart Somsavat Lengsavat have agreed to strengthen relationships between the two countries. In particular, the fields of hydroelectricity, mining and cash crop cultivation are of great interest.

The transport ministers of Thailand, Vietnam and Laos have recently agreed on free travel of trucks between the three countries to boost trade. Further they agreed on avoiding too strong competition for Lao transport companies. Therefore, Thai and Vietnamese trucks will not provide service to local traders.

Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and Lao Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit met in Hanoi on Wednesday to renew programs to further strengthen special solidarity and cooperation between both nations. The Vietnamese Party General Secretary lauded the recent Laotian achievements in construction, implementing infrastructure and defense and urged the neighboring country to make strides toward independence, democracy, unity and prosperity.