Hungary will launch the biggest ever fixed aid credit programme worth USD 160 million in Laos, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Wednesday in Budapest after he had talks with his Lao counterpart.
Péter Szijjártó highlighted at the press conference: the programme covers three areas, a food safety system, water management and information technology. As part of the programme, Hungarian businesses may build slaughterhouses and processing plants in Laos, and may take part in the refurbishment of the sewage network of the capital Vientiane, the construction of the water supply systems of industrial parks and the development of a system for the generation of electronic identity cards, he explained.
The Foreign Minister reiterated: two similar, successful programmes have already been launched in Laos. In 2009 Hungarian businesses built agricultural farms worth USD 8.6 million (HUF 2.37 billion) in the Asian country, while within the framework of the programme launched last year, Hungarian companies participated in the modernisation of the country’s food safety system, a project worth USD 30 million. These initiatives contribute to the economic development of Laos, whilst creating good opportunities for Hungarian businesses to successfully emerge on external markets, he said.
In explanation of the programme now launched, he mentioned that a considerable percentage of the population of Laos lives off agriculture, the country has rich water reserves, and the involvement of Hungarian businesses to date has been to the satisfaction of the locals.
Mr Szijjártó described education is another significant area of cooperation. He said: several leaders now holding important positions in Laos once studied in Hungary, which amply demonstrates that the scholarship programmes are among the long-term investments that offer the best recovery. They will continue cooperation, and as of September, fifty Lao students will have the opportunity to study in Hungarian institutions of higher education.
The Minister further pointed out that Hungary feels responsible for Christian communities around the world, and there are tens of thousands of Christians in Laos as well. He welcomed the fact that Laos permits religious diversity also in its constitution, and society looks upon the local Christian community as a valuable contribution.
Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith stressed: relations between Hungary and Laos go back a long time, and his country has always been able to rely on Hungary as a reliable friend both in economic cooperation and in international affairs. The parties are celebrating the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and during this period, they have made a great deal of progress in the building of relations.
The Lao Minister, too, referred to education as one of the most outstanding areas of bilateral cooperation.