China-Laos US$2 billion refinery kicks off commercial production

Chinese and Lao representatives attend the inauguration ceremony of the refinery's first phase production in Vientiane, Laos, Nov. 30, 2020. Lao Petroleum & Chemical Co. Ltd (Laopec), a China-Laos joint venture, has launched first phase production of its three million tons/year refinery project in Lao capital Vientiane on Monday. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

VIENTIANE, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Lao Petroleum & Chemical Co. Ltd (Laopec), a China-Laos joint venture, has launched first phase production of its three million tons/year refinery project in Lao capital Vientiane on Monday.

The Laopec, which is Laos' first refinery, will effectively fill the gap in the petrochemical industry in Laos and change the status quo that all its refined oil depends on imports.