Attending the Workshop, on the Vietnamese side, there were Mr. Tran Van Tung, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology; Representative of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Lao PDR; Mr. Pham Bao Son, Vice President of Vietnam National University, Hanoi. On the Lao side, there were Mr. Santisouk Simmalavong, Deputy Minister of Technology and Communications of Laos; Mr. Keovisouk Solaphone, Deputy Minister of Technology and Communications of Laos. Attending the event were leaders of units under the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam and the Ministry of Technology and Communication of Laos; Leaders and representatives Leaders of Departments of Science and Technology of Vietnam, Leaders and representatives of Leaders of Departments of Technology and Communication of Laos; delegates from research institutes, universities, enterprises in Vietnam and Laos.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Deputy Minister of Technology and Communications of Laos Santisouk Simmalavong emphasized that the Lao government focused on building initiatives in digital transformation development, taking information technology as the foundation and main driving force to achieve digital transformation, contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.

In the period 2017 - 2022, Vietnam and Laos have had many cooperation activities in science and technology implemented with many outstanding results, especially in the application and transfer of research results into practice; help train highly qualified scientific and technological human resources. And in the coming period, the two sides will promote investment cooperation, technology transfer and start-up, innovation; develop mechanisms and policies and promote the implementation of specific research cooperation projects.

In order to promote technology application and transfer, start-up and innovation activities between Vietnam and Laos, on April 5, 2023, the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communication and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam jointly organize the Workshop "Connecting technology, startup and innovation" within the framework of the Vietnam - Laos Tech-Innovation Forum 2023.

Deputy Minister Santisouk Simmalavong emphasized that this is an event that connects technology researchers and developers, businesses, regulatory agencies in science and technology of Vietnam with government agencies and the Lao business community to promote commercialization, application and investment in technologies in key areas of Laos, such as processing and preserving agricultural products, renewable energy, environmental treatment, information technology and digital transformation.

The international workshop "Connecting technology, startup and innovation" includes 2 sessions: Discussion session. Discussion session with 2 presentations on the following topics: Policies to promote technology search, transfer and innovation in Vietnam and recommendations for Lao PDR; Promoting technology transfer and innovation in Laos, prospects for cooperation with Vietnam. This was followed by a discussion session with questions for leaders to find solutions to support businesses in finding, adopting and mastering technologies as well as developing an innovative startup ecosystem in Laos.

The workshop "Technology connection, startup and innovation between Vietnam and Laos 2023" is a valuable opportunity for managers of 2 Ministries - the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, experts, businesses, investors and scientists exchange experiences in formulating and implementing policies to support search, transfer, start-up and innovation, share difficulties and challenges in international cooperation in science and technology, seek cooperation opportunities, expand domestic and foreign markets.