Laos continues drive to attract more investment
Source: Xinhua | 2026-08-12 | Editor:Jennifer
Lao officials and business representatives have gathered for the country's first nationwide investment promotion and management conference, emphasizing investment's role in national development and the need for improved management to attract more investment.
The meeting, held in Lao capital Vientiane from Tuesday to Wednesday, was chaired by Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith and attended by Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, ministers and deputy ministers, senior officials, and business representatives, the Vientiane Mai newspaper reported on Wednesday.
In his speech, Saleumxay said the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and government have recognized the important role of domestic and foreign investment in national development.
Since opening the country to private investment, the government has continuously revised investment laws and policies to respond to changing development needs and attract capital, expertise, and technology, he added.
From 1989 to the present, Laos has approved 5,394 domestic and foreign investment projects with a combined value of 65.5 billion U.S. dollars. The largest number of foreign investors have come from China, followed by Vietnam and Thailand.
During the first seven months of 2026, 34 investment projects, worth a total of 8.5 billion dollars, were approved, an increase of 68 percent year-on-year.
Addressing the conference, Prime Minister Sonexay called for a new approach to investment promotion and management to make the process faster, more timely, transparent, professional, and effective.
He emphasized the need to strengthen monitoring and management of both existing projects and newly approved projects, ensuring strict and consistent compliance with laws and regulations. He also called for stronger action to address irregularities in the investment sector, including stricter enforcement against violations and greater use of modern tools and cooperation across sectors.
The meeting called on relevant sectors to strengthen their roles in promoting private-sector investment to increase private investment in line with the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026-2030).
You May Like
-
Laos to expand durian farming to support commercial fruit in...
A large-scale durian cultivation project will be launched in southern Laos' Attapeu province, covering hundreds of hectares of land to support the government'...
InKunming 2025-04-10 -
China, Laos pledge stronger ties for a shared future
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Beijing on Thursday, with both pledging to...
InKunming 2025-03-14 -
Construction begins on Lao section of China-Laos 500 kV powe...
The launch ceremony for the construction of the Lao section of the China-Laos 500 kV power interconnection project was held in Lao capital Vientiane on Wednes...
InKunming 2025-02-28 -
Laos to hold fair promoting wooden furniture industry
Laos' Ministry of Industry and Commerce will host the Lao Wood Furniture Fair 2025 to promote the production of wooden furniture made in Laos using local mate...
InKunming 2025-02-27 -
Laos warns of African swine fever outbreak
Lao authorities have declared Xaysomboun province in central Laos a red zone following the detection of African swine fever cases in the province.
InKunming 2025-02-26 -
China, Laos to jointly build AI innovation cooperation cente...
China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Laos held a signing ceremony here on Sunday to jointly establish the China-Laos Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innova...
InKunming 2025-02-25 -
Elephant Festival held in Xayaboury, Laos
This photo taken on Feb. 22, 2025 shows a scene at the Elephant Festival in Xayaboury, Laos. The annual Elephant Festival is held here from Feb. 18 to 24.
InKunming 2025-02-24 -
Thailand reaffirms cooperation with Laos on border security,...
InKunming 2025-02-21 -
GLOBALink | China-Laos Railway facilitates exchanges between...
Since its launch over three years ago, the China-Laos Railway has significantly facilitated trade and exchanges between China and Thailand.
InKunming 2025-02-10 -
Laos restricts power supply to Myanmar's Tachileik region
The Lao government said on Friday that its firm determination to combat transnational telecom fraud has never wavered, announcing that it has now implemented ...
InKunming 2025-02-08
