VIENTIANE, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) — More than 250 booths are displaying technology products during Lao TECHMART-2016 in capital Vientiane on Thursday.

The event aims at achieving the scientific goals of promoting research, innovating and using technology in socio-economic development as effectively as possible, according to the organizer.

The holding of the event is a part of the plan to achieve goals in the Science and Technology Development Strategy 2025 and Vision 2030 in order to promote the effective sharing of knowledge, research, innovation and use of technology in socio-economic development, Lao Minister of Science and Technology Boviengkham Vongdara was quoted by state-run news agency KPL as saying.

Science, technology, and innovation have been recognized as the driving forces and mechanisms for development to achieve the country's main goal of graduating from Least Developed Country status, he said.

New technologies from overseas in the fields of biotechnology, ICT, alternative energy and new materials, architecture and engineering, medicine, transportation, food and beverage processing, electricity and electronics, along with hi-tech products and innovation for human resource development are being displayed at the event.

Speaking at a meeting with scientists, officials and civil servants of the science and technology sector in Vientiane on Wednesday, Lao Prime Minister (PM) Thongloun Sisoulith urged more efforts in developing the sector so that its achievements serve those of other sectors, contributing to socio-economic development in the country.

The prime minister stressed that the sector needs to focus on research in the fields that the country has potential such as clean agriculture and organic crop production, which he said were increasing in demand around the world.

Thongloun also urged the Ministry of Science and Technology to continue working to strengthen international cooperation in research efforts.

The Lao TECHMART-2016 is scheduled to last till Sunday.