Lao DPM Thoonglun Sisulit, and Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Secretary Le Thanh Hai, officials of localities and over 150 enterprises attended the seminar.
At the seminar, the enterprises were provided with updated information about economic prospects and policies of Vietnam, Laos, Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane and Champasak.
Vientiane called on Vietnamese firms, including enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City to continue to invest in the Lao capital, especially in large-scaled projects on construction of high-speed railways, airports and 500-kV electricity line, processing industry and tourism.
Champasak invited enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City to seek investment and trade opportunities in the Lao province.
The two-way trade between Vietnam and Laos reached US$135.8 million in the first quarter of this year, up 66.6% on-year. The figure surged 49.8% to US$734 million last year. The two countries have targeted their two-way trade of US$1 billion in 2012 and US$5 billion in 2020.
Vietnam has had 424 investment projects totaling nearly US$3.6 billion in Laos, becoming its second biggest foreign investors.
By Ngoc Van