New Delhi, June 16: Thanking India for its aid in several areas and the 10 million dollar loan extended towards the power transmission project in the country, Prime Minister of Lao Bounnhang Vorachith today suggested a joint survey for introduction of direct flights between the two countries. "It would be a good thing to have direct aerial links between the two countries. We should jointly survey the feasibility of such a flight, its cost-effectiveness and the number of passengers on both sides," Vorachith said at a meeting held here jointly by CII and Ficci.

He said such direct links would lead to a step up in trade ties.

Mentioning about several agreements entered into by Lao and India for trade and economic cooperation, Vorachith said the 10 million dollar loan extended by India would go a long way in increasing economic cooperation and expanding bilateral business ties.

Already, four Indian companies have bid for contracts in the power transmission project in southern Lao and two more companies are expected to present their bids.

The Prime Minister invited Indian personnel to Lao in the IT sector and investments in agriculture, tourism and hospitality services, energy sector and mining and minerals sector.

He said Lao had special laws for the protection of foreign investments and several tax exemptions for foreign investors.

Bureau Report