Toast Speech by PM Lee Hsien Loong at the Official Lunch in Honour of PM of Lao PDR Thongsing Thammavong (Feb 2014)

Your Excellency Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

I am happy to welcome Your Excellency to Singapore.

SINGAPORE-LAO PDR RELATIONS

Prime Minister’s visit is timely. Singapore and Lao PDR celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations this year. Our relations have grown significantly in that time. Our people-to-people ties are good. More Singaporeans are taking advantage of direct flights between Vientiane and Singapore to enjoy Laos’ natural beauty, such as the UNESCO heritage sites of Luang Prabang, Wat Phou, and the Viengxay caves in Houaphanh Province, which is Prime Minister’s hometown.

Our cultural relations are also growing. Last night, Prime Minister opened an exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum on Lao woven textiles. Such events help our peoples appreciate each other’s traditions.

The Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) has helped strengthen friendships between our leaders and officials. Almost 10,000 Laotian officials have taken part in the SCP, including DPM Dr Thongloun Sisoulith and Minister and Head of Government Office Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, who are here today. I am therefore glad that Temasek Foundation and ITE Education Services have just signed an MOU to provide technical and vocational training to the Lao Youth Union. This will further strengthen our people-to-people ties.

Our economic ties are healthy. Many Singapore companies are excited by the opportunities in Laos, in sectors like logistics, infrastructure, and agriculture. The Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement which we signed earlier will make Laos a more attractive trade and investment destination.

ASEAN

Singapore and Laos also work closely to advance our common interests in ASEAN. Singapore has pledged $170 million to the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI), which has funded training programmes in governance, public policy and other areas at the Lao Singapore Training Centre in Vientiane. Singapore looks forward to continue working with Laos to promote ASEAN’s community-building goals, and enhance regional peace and stability.

The good relations between Laos and Singapore have been carefully nurtured over four decades. We must continue to take our friendship forward, and prosper our countries and peoples.
Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Please rise and join me in a toast:

• To the good health and continued success of Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong

• To the peace, progress and prosperity of the people of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and

• To the friendship between our two countries

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