Cooperation with China to help Laos recover: Lao economist

VIENTIANE -- Economic cooperation between Laos and China will help facilitate Laos' economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, a renowned Lao economist said.

Chairman of the Lao National Assembly's Planning, Finance and Audit Committee, senior economist Dr. Leeber Leebouapao, told Vientiane Times on Thursday that economic cooperation with China was critical in boosting the economy and improving people's livelihoods in Laos.

"China is a huge market for our agricultural products and growing demand in China can drive agricultural development and investment in Laos," he said.

China has pledged to support Laos in the fight against the virus to prevent a second wave while further reinforcing economic cooperation to enable the two countries to overcome economic challenges. Although travel restrictions and preventive measures are in place to contain the coronavirus pandemic, Chinese-funded development projects in Laos are progressing as planned, said the online newspaper Vientiane Times on Thursday.

Laos is confident in China's capacity to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, believing that China will become a model in the global battle against the virus and expressed appreciation of China's support in helping Laos to combat the virus, said the report.