Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia triangle focuses on tourism

Vientiane (VNA) - Vietnam , Laos and Cambodia have agreed on the need to develop tourism as a spearhead in boosting economic growth and reducing poverty in the three countries' development triangle.

The agreement, which also included the creation of favourable conditions for
the triangular region that comprises 10 border provinces of Vietnam , Laos
and Cambodia , was reached at the third meeting addressing trade,
investment and tourism promotion in the Development Triangle, held in
Champassak, Laos , on September 22.

Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc joined Lao
Minister of Planning and Investment Soulivong Daravong and Cambodian
Secretary General of the Development Council Soun Sitthy in chairing the
meeting, which brought together both state officials and businesspeople of
the 10 localities in the Development Triangle.

Minister Phuc described the three countries' policy to develop their shared
triangle as a right decision that has contributed largely to promoting each
country's socio-economic growth and reinforcing friendship between the three
nations.

Following the second meeting of its kind in February this year, the three
countries have taken their own initiatives to spur the development of the
triangle. In the meantime, mechanisms and policies to facilitate the
cross-border flow of people and commodities, investment and trade in the
area are being discussed, Minister Phuc added.

At this meeting, the participants focused on assessing what has been done
since the two previous meetings and discussed ways to solve difficulties
that arise in the process of implementing the reached agreements.

They informed each other of their own countries' current policies,
investment environments and related legal regulations in addition to the
potentials and priorities of the localities located in the development
triangle and worked on orientations for cooperation in the future.

Established in 2004 by a decision signed by the three countries' prime
ministers, the Development Triangle comprises Vietnam 's central highlands
provinces of Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak and Dak Nong, Laos 's provinces of
Attapeu, Sekong and Saravanh, and the Cambodian provinces of Rattanakiri,
Strungstreng and Moldonkiri.

The governments of the three countries have high hopes for the effects of
promoting the development of the region, which has been highly evaluated for
its great potential in the areas of hydro-power industry, mining, industrial
crop growing and processing and tourism, to improve the living conditions of
local people, the majority of whom belong to ethnic minorities.-Enditem