VIENTIANE: Vietnam accounted for the largest share of investment projects approved by Laos in the first nine months of 2026, with these projects valued at US$4.7 billion out of a total US$8.57 billion for 45 approved investment projects.
The figures were announced at the Laos-Vietnam Investment Promotion Conference 2026, where the two countries pledged to deepen economic ties and expand private sector cooperation.
The conference, held at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane on Thursday, was co-chaired by Lao Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith and his Vietnamese counterpart Le Minh Hung.
The event brought together about 500 representatives of government agencies and the private sector to discuss investment opportunities and ways to improve the business environment, with the aim of ensuring that economic, trade and investment cooperation keeps pace with the two countries’ close political relations.
During the first nine months of 2026, the Lao government approved 45 investment projects in controlled activities and concession areas, with a combined value of US$8.57 billion, according to a statement. Investments from Vietnam accounted for US$4.7 billion of the total.
Prime Minister Saleumxay reaffirmed the government’s policy to attract both domestic and foreign private investment, and identified improvements to the business and investment environment as a top priority.
“The government welcomes any comments or recommendations from the business sector that could help improve the investment environment and achieve the two countries’ bilateral investment targets,” he said.
He highlighted the establishment of the Investment Promotion and Management Committee as an important step in streamlining investment promotion and management through a centralised, one-stop mechanism under the Prime Minister’s direct guidance.
The prime minister praised Lao and Vietnamese businesses for their contributions to investment in priority sectors, noting that private investment had exceeded planned targets.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung urged Vietnamese businesses to expand investments in Laos, particularly in sectors encouraged by both governments, including high-technology agriculture, mineral processing, clean energy, banking and finance, logistics, tourism, and digital development
He also encouraged Lao businesses to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam, and stressed the importance of strengthening economic, trade and investment ties in line with the two countries’ strong political links.
Representatives of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Vietnamese Business Association in Laos, and businesses from both countries presented their investment experiences and proposals at the conference.
They expressed confidence in government policies supporting private sector development and called for further improvements to administrative procedures and investment mechanisms to make doing business and investing faster and more convenient.
The conference marked the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Laos and Vietnam and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. It was also part of preparations for the Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year in 2027.
The meeting concluded with the exchange and handing over of 18 investment-related documents, reflecting the two countries’ commitment to expand investment cooperation and strengthen economic ties. - Vientiane Times/ANN
