Vietnamese-funded irrigation system put into operation in Lao district

An irrigation system, built with non-refundable aid provided by the Vietnamese Government, was put into operation on October 21 in Nongbok district in Khammouane province of Laos. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Vo Trong Hai, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Vietnam's Ha Tinh province, which was assigned to work as the project's investor, said that this is an important project, not only of socio-economic significance but also of profound political significance, and a symbol of the close brotherhood of the two peoples, thus helping to consolidate and enhance the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in general, and between Ha Tinh and Khammouane provinces in particular. Secretary of the Party Committee and Governor of Khammoune province Vanxay Phongsavanh expressed gratitude to the Governments of Vietnam and Laos for assigning this project to the province to help promote local agricultural productio n. He assigned the provincial Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and Nongbok district's authorities and people to make the most of the irrigation system. The system is designed to irrigate 500 hectares in four villages of Nongbok district. On this occasion, Hai had a working session with the Lao province's leaders, and presented the locality with 1 billion VND (39,400 USD). Source: Lao News Agency