China remains Laos' top foreign investor, says investment minister

VIENTIANE, July 19 (Xinhua): China continued to be the largest investor in Laos, with cumulative investment in 833 projects amounting to around 16.4 billion U.S. dollars, a Lao minister has said.

A large chunk of the investment has funded the China-Laos railway, the Vientiane-Vangvieng expressway, various special economic zones, power transmission lines and hydropower plants, local daily Vientiane Times reported Tuesday, quoting Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Khamjane Vongphosy.

These projects had delivered significant benefits to both Laos and China, the minister said.

"Agriculture also has a great deal of potential and has received a lot of attention from Chinese investors," the Lao minister added.

"This means the Lao government must actively encourage increased production to take advantage of new market opportunities in China, and ensure that more fruit and vegetables are grown for sale to China," Khamjane said. - Xinhua