VIENTIANE — Bilateral cooperation for sustainable forestry industry development is set to expand between Laos and China, Lao state-run media Vientiane Times reported on March 23.

An agreement between Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and State Forestry Administration of China was signed on March 22, to promote bilateral cooperation covering seven main areas, namely afforestation, forest conservation and sustainable forest management, community forestry or rural forestry management, wildlife conservation and CITES implementation, forest law enforcement and forest governance, forestry industry development and trade of wood products as well as wood processing equipment.

The memorandum of understanding was signed in Lao capital Vientiane on March 22 by Lao Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Thongphath Vongmany and deputy head of China’s State Forestry Administration.

According to Lao Forestry Department Director General Sousath Xayakoummane, apart from these, there is also other potential for progress related to capacity development including in human resources.

In order to achieve the objectives set forth in the MoU, two parties are set to develop and enhance forestry cooperation on exchange of information, materials, relevant documents and research outputs and exchange of visits of delegations, experts and trainees, said the report.

The bilateral cooperation between the two governments, particularly Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and State Forestry Administration of China, is expected to further strengthen relations and opportunities for trade and investment promotion between the two countries.