Laos, Australia further strengthen customs cooperation
Laos and Australia concluded a customs related agreement in Vientiane last week, aiming to promote customs-to-customs ties between the two countries. According to a press rel ease from the Australia Embassy in Vientiane, Australian Border Force Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg is visiting the region to further cooperation on countering the trade in illicit drugs and precursors and enhance the Australian government’s immigration and border protection relationships with its Lao counterparts. Commissioner Quaedvlieg said Australia’s strong relationship with Laos was underpinned by the two countries’ shared interests in facilitating the legitimate flow of people and goods throughout the region. Australia’s Ambassador to Laos, John Williams, and Deputy Minister of Finance, Ms Thipphakone Chanthavongsa, also attended the ceremony where Commissioner Quaedvlieg and the Customs Department Acting Director General, Mr Bounpaseuth Sikounlabout, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation and Mutual Assistance on Customs Matters.
