CLV countries strengthen solidarity, cooperation

• ACMECS 7, CLMV 8: Opportunities for prosperity
• CLMV countries look for ways towards seamless connectivity

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, his spouse, and a Vietnamese delegation are expected to participate in the biennial event. 

Established in 1999, the CLV Development Triangle Area coveres 10 provinces, namely Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, and Dak Nong of Vietnam; Sekong, Attapeu, and Saravan of Laos; and Stung Treng, Rattanak Kiri, and Mondul Kiri of Cambodia.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Since the CLV-8 was held in Laos in November 2014, trilateral cooperation has seen encouraging outcomes in infrastructure building, the marine economy, human resources and people-to-people exchanges. 

Vietnam’s bilateral collaboration with Cambodia and Laos has been further deepened across the board. 

Vietnam runs 183 projects with total registered capital of US$2.86 billion in Cambodia, while Cambodia carries out 12 projects worth over US$54 million in Vietnam. 

Two-way trade reached US$3.37 billion in 2015, a year-on-year rise of 2 percent. The figure in the first eight months of 2016 was US$1.97 billion. 

Meanwhile, Vietnam was the third biggest investor of Laos at nearly US$5.1 billion. 

Besides economics and investment, the three countries have also worked together in other fields such as culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges, in order to protect the shared border lines of peace and cooperation. 

At the second CLV Summit held in Ho Chi Minh City in 2002, the trio agreed to put a premium on collaboration in transport, trade, electricity, tourism, human resources training, and healthcare. 

During the third summit in Siem Riep in 2004, the three nations decided to develop transport infrastructure and accelerate a number of projects. 

At the CLV-4 held in Vietnam’s central Da Lat city in 2006, the three countries looked to favourable conditions for investors and increase mobilisation of capital from foreign sources. 

At CLV-5 in Vientiane, Laos, in 2008, the three signed a Memorandum of Understanding on special incentives for the CLV triangle development area to boost regional growth and attract overseas investment. 

Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Lao leaders approved a planning scheme for the triangle through 2020 to replace the old one in 2004, at the CLV-6 held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2010. 

Afterward, the CLV-7 in Vientiane, Laos, in 2013 affirmed the trilateral commitments to developing the triangle into a model for regional cooperation and promoting all resources to better transport infrastructure and energy. 

At the CLV-8 in Vientiane in 2014, the parties supported Vietnam’s proposal to expand CLV cooperation via connectivity in transport, telecommunication, electricity, tourism and banking. 

The upcoming CLV-9 will focus on reviewing the implementation of a master plan on socio-economic development in the area between 2010 and 2020, and decisions adopted at the previous summit, and discussing future cooperation. 

The event holds significant meaning since Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos are preparing to celebrate the 50 th founding anniversary of Vietnam – Cambodia diplomatic ties and 55 th anniversary of Vietnam – Laos diplomatic ties in 2017.