According to head of the 300-member association Nguyen The Hien, Vietnam has invested more than US$5 billion in Laos, ranking third among foreign investors in the country. Addressing the celebration, Lao Minister of Industry and Trade Khemmany Phonselna lauded the contributions of Vietnamese investors to local development. He vowed to create the best conditions possible for the community to succeed in the market. On the occasion, the Lao national council of industry and trade granted certificates of merit to 15 companies and 16 individuals from the Vietnamese association for their contributions to Vietnam-Laos trade ties. The business association donated more than US$3,000 to the Thongpong school for children with visual impairments, Nguyen Du bilingual school and the association of Vietnamese students at Dongdok university.