VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): The Luang Prabang Chamber of Commerce and Industry will launch a three-day coffee event at the French Institute of Luang Prabang in conjunction with Sabaidee Luang Prabang Festival from Oct 8-10.
The Department of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will co-organise the event with support from the French Development Agency in collaboration with EU Laos, USDA, the Winrock CLEAN project, ARISE Plus and other international development partners.
The event will promote coffee businesses in Laos and raise awareness among the younger generation of the values of Lao coffee as well as promoting local farmers production of quality coffee following sustainable practices.
According to the Department of Agriculture, the event will be an opportunity for participants to learn about the great potential for coffee stakeholders and to share information about coffee chain and the development of coffee products in line with green and fair-trade policies.
Visitors to the event will be able to taste a cup of coffee, share their thoughts on coffee business operations, and expand their business networks with a view to boosting sales and production.
The fair is a great opportunity for local entrepreneurs to create a better future through adding value to and supplying high quality green bean coffee for niche markets in the region and further afield.
Laos registered record production of over 150,000 tonnes of coffee beans last year, which were sold to more than 20 countries around the world, earning more than US$100 million in revenue, according to the Department of Agriculture.
Coffee is grown on more than 98,000 hectares across Laos.
The southern provinces of Laos, including Champassak, Saravan, and Xekong, account for over 90 per cent of all coffee plantations in the country, while coffee growers in northern Laos are gradually expanding into the sector.
