India has assured Laos leadership of assistance in pursuing its Socio-Economic Development Strategy that seeks to move Laos out of the LDC status by 2020. In her Banquet speech last evening in Vientiane, in Laos the President has said India is willing to be Laos’s developmental Partner. Stating that both nations can share their experiences in several sectors including Agriculture, she stressed the need to encourage investments in Laos to avail mutually beneficial economic opportunities in trade and investment. The President said India is looking forward to Laos to issue the necessary notification to bring India- ASEAN Free Trade Agreement into force. Appreciating India’s role in attaining their national social economic development objectives, Laos’ President Choummaly Xayasone has expressed confidence that the friendly relations and cooperation would be deepened. Calling on the President last evening, Laos Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh said her visit has opened a new chapter in the relationship of two countries. He took note of increasing Indian private sector’s role in Laos, during his talks and assured suitable cooperation for them. AIR Correspondent M. S. Lakshmi reports that the high level talks held by President Pratibha Devisingh Patil yesterday with Laos’s leadership have opened a new chapter in India-Lao relationships. Besides deepening relations between the two countries, the presidential visit has created lot of enthusiasm down the line especially in business sector. The high level delegation level talks held between two sides have cleared path for arriving to greater cooperation in many fields. Explaining the impact of the talks, Indian Ambassador, Dr. Jitendra Nath Misra said – “it is also expected to few more agreements on trade and Investments side after the forthcoming India-Lao business forum in which all teh IndianBusiness chambers incluiding CII, FICCI and ASSOCHAM are taking part. ” Meanwhile, President will be visiting Luang Prabang, old capital of Laos today. She will visit some historic places and also take part in few ritual ceremonies during her two-day visit to the Luang Prabang.