DFA: PHL, Laos to establish business council

The Philippines and Laos are planning to establish a business council to bolster the bilateral trade relations between the two Southeast Asian nations, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday. The effort would make the 55 years of bilateral relations between the two countries “stronger and closer," according to a statement the DFA issued after the official visit of Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario to Laos Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith from April 6 to 7. During the bilateral meeting, the two officials are also considering of convening a joint bilateral commission between the Philippines and Laos that would focus on integrating their economies and cultures. The DFA statement said Del Rosario also visited Laos Prime Minister Thongsing Thommavong, who assumed post last December. Likewise, Del Rosario and the Prime Minister agreed to “enhance the relationship between the Philippines and Laos in the areas of human resources development, trade, investment, and culture," it said. Del Rosario also met with officials of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and “discussed specific ways of facilitating trade and investment exchanges between the business sectors of the Philippines and Laos," according to the statement. “[Del Rosario] expressed appreciation to the chamber’s officials for their valuable support in the organization of the Philippine Business Mission to Vientiane in July 2010 which encouraged several Philippine enterprises to pursue the setting up of business operations in Laos," it said. — JE, GMA News