VIENTIANE: The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in northwestern Bokeo province says it is transforming the zone and surrounding Mekong communities into a modern city founded on safety, investment, and opportunity.
Last week, the Ministry of Public Security, provincial authorities and Zone executives welcomed ambassadors, diplomats and members of international organisations to Tonpheung district, where they were shown how the SEZ is driving transformation in line with the country’s laws.
Vice Chairman of the Zone’s Management Council, Gao Rong, said the Kings Romans Group has from the start pursued a “Replacement Economy” strategy.
The approach is designed to help local people move away from opium cultivation and replace it with sustainable business activities.
The SEZ was established in 2007 on 827 hectares of land, later expanded to 3,000 hectares under a 99-year concession.
Over the past 17 years, the area has grown into a hub lined with banks, hotels, farms, service centres and more than 200 projects, with registered capital of US$1.5 billion.
About 2,400 businesses have been established, of which around 1,500 are active, many of them small and medium-sized enterprises.
Investors mainly come from China, Laos and Singapore, while the community has expanded into a multicultural hub of 65,000 residents representing more than 30 nationalities, according to Zone authorities.
Tourism has also become a driving force, with between 500,000 and 600,000 people visiting the Zone each year.
At the same time, Zone executives acknowledged the area’s image problem. Acting Head of the Management and Administration Committee, Khamsavaeng Vilayphong, said strong measures have now been taken to curb scams and crime.
Since 2022, authorities have carried out 17 raids against call centre gangs, arresting 2,528 suspects from 25 countries.
Lao nationals were returned home, while Chinese and Vietnamese suspects were handed over to their governments. Others were repatriated through their embassies.
Khamsavaeng rejected claims that the SEZ is linked to drugs, stressing that strict inspections are in place.
“The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone is not a major drug production or distribution area, as alleged on social media,” he said, noting that some reports confuse the SEZ with the wider Golden Triangle region spanning several countries.
Gao Rong said the Zone is working closely with the Lao government and neighbouring countries to strengthen security, prevent crime and address concerns from external parties with transparency. The company has also supported national defence and public security efforts, he added.
Over the past year, the SEZ has faced questions related to human trafficking, illegal businesses and online scams.
The invitation to diplomats to visit the Zone reflects efforts by the government and investors to build transparency and trust by showcasing concrete progress in social development.
The gathering in Tonpheung district was attended by Deputy Minister of Public Security, Brigadier General Aaen Aounanongnouth; the Deputy Governor of Bokeo province, Brigadier General Soukphachan Silaphet; diplomats; and representatives of international organisations. - Vientiane Times/ANN
