(KPL/VNA)– A forum that aims to connect technology researchers, developers, and science and technology management agencies of Vietnam, with Laos’ government agencies and businesses opened in Vientiane on April 4.

The Tech-Innovation Vietnam-Laos 2023 forum was jointly held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications.

It is intended to promote the commercialisation, application and investment in technologies in key areas in Laos such as farm produce processing and preservation, renewable energy, environmental treatment, IT and digital transformation, MoST Deputy Minister Tran Van Tung said in his opening remarks.

The forum will also help to tighten the links between the two ministries, while contributing to enhancing exchanges and coordination between researchers of the two countries, as well as cooperation between their enterprises, he continued.

For his part, Lao Minister Boviengkham Vongdara noted his hope that the forum will offer an opportunity for the two sides to cooperate in research and investment in science-technology and innovation, making science-technology a driving force and a firm pillar for national socio-economic development.

The two-day forum features 64 pavilions introducing research outcomes and promising technologies, notably those by representatives from the Vietnamese startup and innovation ecosystem in the fields of agriculture, construction and community development, beauty services, and marketing.

Within the framework of the forum, there are also in-depth seminars on tech connectivity, startup and innovation, and on development orientations for the startup and innovation ecosystem in Laos, along with exchanges and meetings between partners of the two countries.

Following the opening ceremony, the participants witnessed the signing of agreements on technological transfer between research institutes, universities and businesses of Vietnam and their Lao partners.

KPL