At the invitation of the Chairman of People’s Committee of Lao Cai Province, Ambassador of India visited Lao Cai Province on 22 – 23 October 2021.
During the visit of Ambassador to Lao Cai, Ambassador had a courtesy call on with H.E. Dang Xuan Phong, Party Secretary of Lao Cai province and had an official meeting with H.E. Mr. Trinh Xuan Truong, Chairman of People’s Committee of Lao Cai. After the official meeting, Ambassador along with the Chairman of People’s Committee of Lao Cai witnessed the signing ceremony for implementation of the project of construction of classroom at Trung Chai Kindergarten, Sa Pa Town, Lao Cai Province, utilizing Quick Impact Project Fund for 2021-2022. Ambassador also had a tree plant ceremony at the premises of People’s Committee of Lao Cai province to mark the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Vietnam.
During the meeting with H.E. Mr. Dang Xuan Phong, Party Secretary of Lao Cai province, both sides had detailed discussions on current and future cooperation opportunities between India and Lao Cai province in areas such as trade, investment, tourism and cultural engagement.
At the official meeting, Chairman of People’s Committee of Lao Cai briefed Ambassador on socio-economic development of Lao Cai and introduced to Ambassador the potential and advantages of Lao Cai province. He also highlighted the prioritised areas for development of Lao Cai in the time to come which includes (i) development of mining industry (ii) development of Lao Cai border economic hub and logistic centre of Kunming – Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong (iii) tourism development (iv) development of specialised agri-cultivation and agro processing (v) development of smart city in Lao Cai and in Sapa (vi) infrastructure development (vii) socio-cultural development. He requested Ambassador to extend support in inviting Indian investor to come and do business with Lao Cai province.
Sharing the view with the Chairman of People’s Committee of Lao Cai, Ambassador said Lao Cai is strategically located in regional supply chain and would encourage Indian companies to explore the possibility of cooperation with the province. Ambassador highlighted some areas which have potential for cooperation which including tourism, mineral processing, agriculture and food processing, logistics, Information technology including smart city development and ICT training etc. Ambassador also noted that the Indian development project in Lao Cai which would be signed after the meeting would be the link between India and Lao Cai Province. Ambassador thanked the Provincial Government of Lao Cai to join the Embassy of India celebrating the 50 years of India-Vietnam Diplomatic Relations.
After the official meeting, the tree planting ceremony was organized. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Mr. Pranay Verma, Ambassador of India to Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Trinh Xuan Truong, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Lao Cai Province and other dignitaries of the province.
During Ambassador’s visit, both sides also signed an MOU for a new Quick Impact Project (QIP) for “construction of classroom at Trung Chai Kindergarten, Sa Pa Town, Lao Cai Province”. The project has total investment of around US$ 100,000 in which India’s grant assistance is US$ 50,000 utilising Quick Impact Projects Fund. The project scope includes construction of two classrooms in an area of 200 square meter, which will benefit 105 children of Sa Pa Town. Though small in size, these Quick Impact Projects, which are implemented in a short period of time, bring tangible and rapid benefits to the local community. Speaking during his visit, Ambassador Pranay Verma noted that the project was India’s contribution to assist Vietnam in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
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Hanoi
23 October 2021
