Viengthavisone (left) with Wan Suraya at the National Audit Department in Putrajaya. - Vientiane Times/ANN
Lao, Malaysian state audit agencies boost cooperation
VIENTIANE: The National Audit Department of Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with the Lao State Audit Organisation (SAO-Lao) to strengthen the management of the finances of the two countries.
The Auditor-General of Malaysia’s National Audit Department, Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi, met the president of SAO-Lao, Viengthavisone Thepphachanh, when he made an official visit to Malaysia during May 22-25.
The visit was aimed at exchanging lessons learned from the inspection operations of the two organisations.
The two sides also examined the results of in-depth inspections of road construction projects and discussed issues such as training courses and the duties of the Malaysian Training Institute.
Wan Suraya said the two sides would improve the efficiency of regular activities, such as facilitating reciprocal visits by high-ranking delegations, assisting the Lao audit body in strengthening institutions and organisational apparatus, and enhancing the capacity of public auditors.
Viengthavisone said: “I hope to see a continuation of our joint efforts to build a long-term and strategic partnership.”
He expressed sincere gratitude to Malaysia’s National Audit Department and the Malaysian Training Institute for their hospitality and sharing of knowledge with the SAO-Lao and said the two sides will continue to cooperate in strengthening the capabilities of the auditors of Laos.
Wan Suraya expressed her happiness at efforts by the Office of the Auditor General of Laos and the Office of the Auditor General of Malaysia to continue to support Lao authorities and said this will strengthen the cooperative relationship between the two state inspection organisations.
The visit by the Lao official was an important step in strengthening cooperative relations. Under their framework of cooperation, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation in 2022, and they have supported each other in continuously developing the state inspection sectors of the two countries.
This has also played an important role in strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Laos and Malaysia countries at a time when the two sides are observing the 58th anniversary of diplomatic relations, according to the SAO-Lao.
The delegations from the two sides discussed the economic situation, social development and outstanding activities of inspection work.
They also reviewed achievements and agreed on cooperation in future, which will include the continuation of visits and meetings for bilateral discussions at the senior leadership level and efforts to review the memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation.
Laos and Malaysia will create a detailed activity plan to strengthen inspection work by both sides, and this will cover the work of research institutes and inspection training, including developing teaching and learning curricula and creating trainers.
Malaysia will continue support the training of key audit officials of Laos and both sides will help each other at the regional and international levels. - Vientiane Times/ANN
