Hong Kong businesses and other organisations sign 12 non-binding deals with Laos

City leader John Lee meets Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and foreign minister Saleumxay Kommasith on second day in Vientiane

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Chief Executive John Lee visits Vientiane Secondary School in Laos on Monday. Photo: Kahon Chan

Published: 1:07pm, 29 Jul 2024Updated: 10:52pm, 29 Jul 2024

Hong Kong businesses and other organisations have signed 12 non-binding deals with their Laotian counterparts as Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu pledged to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation on his “historic” visit to the country.

The city’s leader also said on Monday that Hong Kong could contribute to the development of Laos in agricultural trade, tourism, green financing, logistics and education as he wrapped up a two-day visit to the country, noting there was room to ease visa arrangements between the two jurisdictions.

“We all agree that tourism is the most suitable direction for development because not only will it grow the industry, tourism will also facilitate the exchange between our people that can enable improvements in communications and understanding between the two places,” Lee said.

He said Hong Kong airport could also support the landlocked Southeast Asian country’s exports. Direct flights between Laotian capital Vientiane and Hong Kong were launched in April.

“We have ranked world-first in terms of air cargo volume for more than 10 years, so I have introduced how Laos can make good use of the airport with our transport and logistics sectors,” he said.

Lee started the day at a breakfast gathering attended by local business leaders before meeting Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and foreign minister Saleumxay Kommasith in the capital.