Laos on Thursday officially exported its first batch of rice to China, marking the start of rice exportation to China.
A ceremony on the event was held in Laos' southern Savannakhet Province on Thursday.
Addressing the ceremony, Lao Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Phet Phomphiphak said the event reflects the relationship between Laos and China as "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades, good partners".
Under the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, more Lao rice will be exported to China, he said, adding that his ministry will continue to support the export of Lao rice to China, and at the same time, improve the quality of Lao agricultural products so as to upgrade the income of Lao people.
Laos will expand agricultural plantation area and set up plantation regions. Laos hopes that more trade agreements on produce will be signed with China to export more rice, fruits and vegetables of Laos to Chinese market, said the minister.
Sharing the same view, Souphanh Keomixay, governor of Savannakhet Province, for his part, expects that agricultural cooperation between Laos and China will be further developed.
Meanwhile, Xu Guowu, chairman of China's Xuanye (Lao) Co., Ltd, said his company will actively participate in the "Belt and Road" initiative proposed by China to realize the development of Chinese enterprises at overseas markets, thus contributing to the exchanges between China and Laos in various fields.
In March 2015, Xuanye (Lao) Co., Ltd was approved by China's National Development and Reform Commission to become sole exporter of Lao rice to China with quota of 8,000 tons. On Oct. 27, 2015, the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of China granted the approval for the export of Lao rice to China by Xuanye (Lao) Co., Ltd.
