Participation of Lao professionals who were graduated in Hungary before on the International Alumni Conference

The international conference that was organised for those foreign professionals who were graduated in Hungary took place in Budapest between 27-28 October 2016.

Dr. Phouang Parisak as Vice Minister in Budapest during the International Alumi Conference in 2016

Lao were represented by four Lao alumni as follows: Mr. Khammoune Viphongxay Ministry of Home Affairs, Vice Minister; Dr. Koukeo Akhamountry, Lao Academy of Social Sciences, Senior Advisor; Dr. Phouang Parisak Pravongviengkham, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Deputy Minister and Mr. Phoukhao Phommavongsa, Ambassador of the Lao PDR in Hungary. In the agricultural session of the Conference Dr. Phouang Parisak gave a presentation about the history, the actual situation and future perspectives of the Lao-Hungarian agricultural cooperation.

Mr. Phouang Parisak as Lao student in Gödöllő in 1985

Visit of the Lao Minister of Agriculture and Forestry to Hungary

H.E. Mr. Liane Thikeo minister was invited to Hungary by H.E. Mr. Péter Szijjártó Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade during his visit to Laos on the 7th of June this year. The two ministers had a meeting on the 27^th of October 2016 in Budapest in the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, when the Hungarian minister offered a new tied aid loan program for Laos.

The new tied aid loan can be used for further agriculture development and it can also be water management and IT components. H.E. Liane Thikeo minister during his visit to Hungary visited agriculture companies that has already Lao partners or plan to establish partnership with Lao companies. The Lao minister and his delegation also met the Vice President of Hungarian National Agriculture Chamber and visited the Consulate of the Lao PDR in Hungary, where the minister met the leadership of the Hungarian-Lao Friendship Association and Lao students who are studying in Hungary.

Visit to the cattle farm of the Mezőfalva Agricultural Company

Leading experts of the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, representative of the Lao Ministry of Finance and also that of the private sector were also members of the delegation, who had meetings in the Ministry of Agriculture, Eximbank and Hungarian National Trading House.

The delegation in the Ministry of Agriculture with Mr. György Czervan Minister of State

Meeting in the Hungarian National Trading House with Mr. Omari Vanidze Director of Export Development

Visit of the Vice President of the Lao Parliament to Hungary

H.E. Mr. Bounpone Boutanavong Vice President of the Lao Parliament visited the Vitafort Co. at Dabas on 18th of November during his short visit to Hungary. The Vitafort Co. is actively involved in programs in Laos that contribute to the development of the agriculture and food sector and also to the implementation of the Lao agriculture strategy. Vitafort Zrt. is not only assisting the implementation of the tied aid loan programs but also the establishment and operation of Hungarian-Lao joint venture companies.

Private visit of Lao alumni to Hungary

Mr. Thatsany Keola and his wife Ms. Keobang A Keola visited Hungary between August 28-and September 1. They were graduated in 1982, Mr. Thatsani at the Budapest Technical University, his wife Ms. Keobang A at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of „Eötvös Lóránd„ University of Science (ELTE).

They visited Budapest first time after their graduation where they paid a visit also to their Alma Mater. At Budapest Technical University they were received by Dr. János Józsa Rector, who was also Mr. Tatsani’s class mate. Dr. Rudolf Sárdi Head of the Office of International Relations of ELTE handed over a Certificate to Ms. Keobang A alumni of the university. The Lao couple was also accompanied to Hungary by four of their friends who besides Budapest also visited Lake Balaton, Ópusztaszer, Szeged, Szarvas and Rétimajor.

Pi Mai Lao celebration in Budapest

The Hungarian-Lao Friendship Association organised the traditional Pi Mai Lao celebration in Budapest on 7th of May 2016. The celebration was attended by about 100 persons, among them lao alumni and their family members who are living in Hungary and abroad, members of Hungarian families who are linked somehow to Laos.

About 30 Lao students were also present who are studying in Hungary presently. Distinguished guests of the celebration were H.E. Mr. Phoukhao Phommavongsa, Ambassador and H.E. Dr. Phouthone Mouangpak, Vice Minister of Ministry of Health. In their speaches, the Lao Ambassador Mr. Phoukhao Phommavongsa and the Lao Honorary Consul in Hungary Dr. Laszlo Varadi informed the audience about the diplomatic and educational cooperation and also about economic cooperation. After the traditional “baci” ceremony the Lao students performed a high level cultural program.