Assoc. Prof. Dr Vannaphone Phouthana (left) and Mr Yang Bo shake hands after signing an agreement on the construction of new educational centres.

Laos, China partner to build ASEAN Industrial Park

The Faculty of Agriculture at the National University of Laos and the Asia Tobacco Industry Group Limited of China have inked an agreement on the construction of the Lao National Tobacco Science and Technology College and the ASEAN International Traditional, Industry and Education Centre. 
A Memorandum of Understanding on the initiative was signed in Vientiane on July 14 by the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Assoc. Prof. Dr Vannaphone Phouthana, and the President of the Asia Tobacco Industry Group Limited, Mr Yang Bo.
Also present on the occasion were the President of the National University of Laos, Prof. Dr Dexanourath Seneduangdeth, officials from the ministries of Education and Sports, Finance, and Agriculture and Environment, the National University of Laos, and representatives of the Asia Tobacco Industry Group Limited.

Lao and Chinese delegations gather for a group photo at the agreement signing ceremony in Vientiane.

The establishment of the Lao National Tobacco Science and Technology College and the ASEAN Centre will help the National University of Laos to become a hub for the development of higher education in Laos, Dr Dexanourath said.
The two facilities will create an outstanding educational platform that connects Laos with the global knowledge community and elevates educational standards and promotes international knowledge and skills, he added.
After the Asia Tobacco Industry Group Limited entered into an agriculture cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry involving an area of 267,000 hectares, development of the Lao National College of Tobacco Science and Technology has now officially begun, Mr Yang Bo said.
It will benefit from the professional talents of the Asia Tobacco Industry Group Co., Ltd. and be another step forward in education and cultural exchanges between Laos and China.
Mr Yang Bo said human civilisation is advancing and the world’s scientific and technological revolution is changing every day.
The history of human development shows that only faith and culture are eternal, and that only education and scientific research are the source of human civilisation, he added.
To broaden the scope of cooperation in three areas based on education, science and technology, and culture, the Asia Tobacco Industry Group will build the ASEAN Centre on an area of 13 hectares, which will be the centre of ASEAN and the gateway to the capital, Mr Yang Bo said.
The aim is to use the architectural strategy of cultural weaknesses combined with business strengths to turn the ASEAN Centre into a major international cultural and business centre in Southeast Asia.
Through Lancang-Mekong culture, a cultural and highland gateway will link Laos to the rest of ASEAN and the global economy through the core values of the Lao Cultural Hub.
The China-Laos Economic Zone Cultural Zone and the Asian Tobacco Culture Centre can have a strong impact resulting from its separation and expansion to the 10 ASEAN countries, while strengthening the marketing of Vientiane and the three-dimensional Asian tobacco product strategy.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National University of Laos, the Asia Tobacco Industry Group Limited will help build a new entranceway to the National University of Laos, starting next month.

by Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update July 21, 2025)