VIENTIANE, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies is continuing to carry out its Seeds for the Future program in Laos, offering 10 more Lao students opportunities to learn latest ICT technologies in China.

The program aims to facilitate the transfer of ICT (information and communication technology) knowledge, thus assisting Laos to be a digitally empowered nation, the company's Lao branch CEO Wang Qi told Xinhua on Friday.

Initiated by Huawei in 2008, the Seeds for the Future program seeks to develop local ICT talent, enhance knowledge transfer, promote greater understanding of and interest in the telecommunications sector, and improve and encourage regional building and participation in the digital community.

Wang said at the company's program launching ceremony on Wednesday that ICT has become an important growth engine for many different industries. As a global ICT leader, Huawei is committed to promoting ICT industry development in the countries in which it operates, and aims to drive long-term economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Lao Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Phouth Simmalavong highly appreciated Huawei's commitment to improving Lao ICT development levels and cultivating talents in related fields.

Local daily Vientiane Times on Friday quoted the deputy minister as saying that "Huawei is the ICT industry leader in the world and the company has developed rapidly in the last few years."

"I believe the ICT industry will play a very important role in the Lao economy. Seeds for the Future is an excellent project which provides a good opportunity for Lao students to study new ICT technologies at Huawei. I hope you (the students) can broaden your knowledge and contribute to our country in the future," the Lao official said at the ceremony.