Laos attracts US$37bil in investment since opening up


VIENTIANE: The Laos government has approved more than 6,000 investment projects with combined funding of around US$37 billion since the introduction of the market-oriented economy and opening up to the world in the 1980s.

From 1989 to 2019 the total number of investment projects was 6,144, with an overall investment value of US$36.8 billion, according to figures released recently by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, local daily Vientiane Times reported during the weekend.

According to the statistics, China is the top foreign investor with a total of 862 projects with a combined investment value of US$10 billion.

Thailand and Vietnam were listed as second and third largest foreign investors with investment values of US$4.7 billion and US$3.9 billion respectively.

Among the other top foreign investors from 1989 to 2019 were South Korea, France, the United States, Japan, Malaysia and Australia.

The most popular investment sector in Laos from 1989 to 2019 was electricity generation, which attracted investment of about US$14 billion.

The second sector attracting a significant amount of funding during this period was mining, with total investment of US$7.5 billion.

Other sectors attracting high levels of investment were services, agriculture, industry, and handicrafts.

The report of Vientiane Times report said one of the sectors in which Laos has huge untapped potential is agriculture thanks to the abundance of fertile land, and this is made even more attractive by the surging demand for agricultural produce in neighbouring China.

To improve the situation for new business operators, the Laos Ministry of Planning and Investment has set up a one-stop service to make it easier for businesspeople to obtain investment permission as well as the necessary business-related documents. - Vientiane Times/Asian News Network

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!
Loas , Investments , 600 Projects , US$37bil , Opening Up

Next In Regional

TikTok darling and Cambodia's famous daughter Princess Norodom Jenna will headline the opening ceremony of the Asean Hyundai Cup
Trump touts Iran inspection deal as Tehran disputes claim
9.3 million�illicit cigarettes seized by Customs
Japan 'robot wolves' in high demand to scare off bears
Lula won’t sideline China or anyone in rare earths, tells Trump refining stays in Brazil
Asean still not ready to accept Myanmar leaders at summits, meetings, says Tok Mat
Anwar holds bilateral talks with S'pore, Laos counterparts
Asean vows to avoid export bans, share fuel as oil prices soar
China AI robot restaurant analyses diners’ faces, tongues to recommend health-focused dishes
Why China’s humanoid robots are still waiting for their ‘ChatGPT moment’

Others Also Read