Special Economic Zones to develop labour skills and employ thousands of workers in Laos


VIENTIANE, Jan 25: The Special Economic Zone Promotion and Management Office is to improve labour skills and see thousands of Lao people employed by SEZs across the country, reports Laotian Times.

The government of Laos has identified certain large-scale investment projects will benefit from an influx of skilled workers, including the Amata Smart & Eco City in Luang Namtha and Oudomxay Provinces, the new international airport in Bokeo, a giant Buddha image construction project at the That Luang Marsh, an Infrastructure Development Project in the Golden Triangle, among others, Pasaxon reports.

Acting Director-General of the Special Economic Zone Promotion and Management Office, Sonepasert Dalavong, says that despite young people representing 60% of the population, domestic labor skills development is insufficient to meet labor demand in each SEZ.

Some 1,075 companies have invested in special economic zones in Laos, with investments from China, Japan, Denmark, France, and Thailand, said Acting Director-General Sonepasert Dalavong.

“Investment companies have contributed more than LAK 481 billion to the national budget, as well as exports worth more than USD 2.3 billion, resulting in the creation of 52,319 jobs. Of these, only 23,158 are Lao workers,” said Sonepasert Dalavong.

“Since 2003, 21 special economic zones have been established in seven provinces covering 15,000 hectares,” Sonepasert Dalavong added.

The government of Laos has said it will attempt to attract more than 700 companies to invest in Special Economic Zones over the next five years, saying these companies would create over 130,000 jobs.

At the same time, authorities would be able to collect over LAK 1.2 trillion in revenue through taxation.

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Laos , SEZ , Big Plans

Next In Aseanplus News

India Air Force lands heavy-lift military aircraft at highest altitude
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (Nov 7, 2026)
Ramayana: ancient Hindu epic and India's most expensive film
Back from Singapore for nephew’s wedding, Indian man allegedly shot dead by Faridabad neighbour over parking dispute
Thai celebrity Panadda and husband remanded for 12 days in donation case
Vietnam govt seeks National Assembly approval for three expressways worth US$6.3bil
Flash floods hit Penang mainland after heavy rain
Fire at India oil facility kills three, injures four
Korea eases visa rules for foreign-born children seeking recognition of Korean parentage
Singapore's former senior parliamentary secretary Lee Yiok Seng, who was behind housing efforts, dies at 87

Air Pollutant Index

Note: API is calculated based on 24hr running average of the most dominant parameter.

Highest API Readings

    Select State and Location to view the latest API reading

    Others Also Read