Vietnam, Laos agree to boost border economy Vietnam and Laos have agreed to further expand border gate economic zones and open more markets along their common borderline, in addition to other targets of cooperation in 2000. The targets were set by the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee for Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation at its 22nd meeting which opened in Vientiane, Laos, on Jan.18. The Vietnamese delegation at the meeting was led by Nguyen Tan Dzung, Politburo member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Committee's Vietnam Section, and the Lao delegation by Bounhang Vorachith, Politburo member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister. The two delegations reached an agreement for bilateral cooperation in 2000, including the continuation of barter trade, further development of the border gate economy and border markets, and opening of more showrooms in both countries to display each other's products. They also agreed to give further financial support to joint ventures specialising in building materials, household utensils and other products of daily use. State and joint ventures banks were entrusted with the task of working out concrete payment policies and financial balancing methods agreeable to both countries. A joint-venture hospital project in Laos was also agreed upon that will serve both the local and the Vietnamese community in Laos. Vietnam and Laos last year recorded a trade turnover of more than USD 300 million, an 1.5 fold increase over the previous year. The Cua Lo (Lo Border Gate) agreement reached between the two countries last year has helped iron out many investment and trade problems. So far six Vietnamese-invested projects with a combined investment of USD 9.2 million have been licensed for operation in Laos. Meanwhile, Vietnam is trying hard to fulfill its commitment to upgrading the road system that links Vietnam with Laos. Following the signing of the minutes of the meeting by the two head delegates, Deputy Trade Minister Nguyen Xuan Khoa of Vietnam and Deputy Minister of Trade and Tourism of Laos Xieusavath Savengsuksa signed an agreement on amendments and supplements to the 1994 Agreement on Transit Goods. Vietnam news Agency - January 20, 2000.