The fourth annual conference on Vietnam-Cambodia- Laos economiccooperation was held in Da Lat city in the Central Highlands province ofLam Dong on July 27.

Co-organised by the Vietnam Academy ofSocial Sciences (VASS), the Lao National Social Sciences Institutes andthe Royal Academy of Cambodia , the event aims to discuss impacts of theASEAN Economic Community (AEC), border issues and transnational naturalresources on the three countries.

According to President of theVASS Nguyen Xuan Thang, the countries should strengthen research studiesand dialogues to determine key collaboration and policy cooperativemechanisms which effectively boost trans-border cooperation, resolveissues relating to competitiveness competency and poverty reduction anddomestic socio-economic inequality.

Chaleune Yiapaoheu, Presidentof the Laos institute said in order to successfully implementtrans-border economic relations, specific methods and regulations shouldbe introduced.

During the conference, experts expressed concernover opportunities and challenges in each country as well as cooperationbetween the three countries when the AEC is officially formed,particularly on ASEAN’s goods circulation commitment

On theother hand, investment activities among the three countries will facecompetition from other advanced ASEAN members with the free movement ofcapital and investment flows.

A report by Chheng Vannarith andSom Somuny from the Cambodian academy stressed the significance ofensuring effective and sustainable trans-border natural resourceexploitation.

Additionally, Sok Touch, Diector of the Cambodianacademy emphasised the significance of building good neighbourliness,ensuring security and growth and promoting economic cooperation betweenVietnam, Cambodia and Laos.-VNA