VIENTIANE, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Lao President Bounnhang Vorachith will pay a state visit to Singapore on Wednesday and Thursday, with the aim of furthering friendly relations and cooperation between Laos and Singapore, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Monday.
According to an announcement from Lao's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the two-day visit, President Bounnhang will meet with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and visit the urban development office.
Since Laos and Singapore established diplomatic ties in 1974, the two countries have been cooperating in many fields, including trade and investment, human resource development, among others.
There are currently 70 Singaporean-funded investment projects in Laos worth 175 million U.S. dollars. Of these, 33 projects are 100 percent owned by Singapore enterprises with a total worth value of 97 million U.S. dollars. The remaining 37 projects are joint ventures, according to the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment.
Singapore's Silk Air signed an agreement with Lao Airlines to operate flights between Lao capital Vientiane and northern ancient town Luang Prabang in October 2016.
Singapore has also provided scholarships for short- and long-term courses for Lao nationals to pursue studies in Singapore and Laos.
Since 2008 the government of Singapore has sent 1,500 volunteers to Laos to teach English, IT and environmental studies.
The Singapore Embassy in Vientiane has also organized several training courses for Lao government officials, including courses on public policy and administrative reform and English language.
About 600 Lao officials are trained each year in Singapore. Since 1993, more than 12,500 Lao government officials have benefited from the ministry's various training programs under the Singapore Cooperation Program. Enditem
