China is largest investor in Laos with over $16 billion so far
China continues to be the largest foreign investor in Laos, having invested about $16.4 billion into 833 projects so far, Vientiane Times cited the country’s planning and investment minister Khamjane Vongphosy as saying.
The economic sectors into which the investments went are diverse, reaching from small, medium and large enterprises to state-owned companies and private corporations.
Among the largest investments are the Laos-China railway, the Vientiane-Vang Vieng expressway, the Saysettha Development Zone outside the capital Vientiane, the Boten Special Economic Zone in the north on the Chinese border, as well as power transmission lines and hydropower plants.
“Benefits for both countries”
All of them have delivered “significant benefits to both Laos and China,” Vongphosy said, adding that the ministry is seeking ways to promote and manage more private sector investment in Laos in the future.
“There is considerable interest in investment in the mining sector, so in the process of project consideration and approval, it is important to focus on the terms and conditions set by investors,” he noted.
New energy projects
In terms of Laos’ substantial energy generation sector, the government plans to expand the electricity market in neighbouring countries to create openings for projects that have potential but lack market opportunities, the minister added.
Agriculture also has a great deal of potential and has received a lot of attention from Chinese investors, he said, noting that the government would encourage increased production to take advantage of new market opportunities for fruit and vegetables in China.
[caption id="attachment_38633" align="alignleft" width="300"] The $10-billion Boten Special Economic Zone on the Lao-Chinese border is one of China's largest investments in Laos[/caption] China continues to be the largest foreign investor in Laos, having invested about $16.4 billion into 833 projects so far, Vientiane Times cited the country's planning and investment minister Khamjane Vongphosy as saying. The economic sectors into which the investments went are diverse, reaching from small, medium and large enterprises to state-owned companies and private corporations. Among the largest investments are the Laos-China railway, the Vientiane-Vang Vieng expressway, the Saysettha Development Zone outside the capital Vientiane, the Boten...
China continues to be the largest foreign investor in Laos, having invested about $16.4 billion into 833 projects so far, Vientiane Times cited the country’s planning and investment minister Khamjane Vongphosy as saying.
The economic sectors into which the investments went are diverse, reaching from small, medium and large enterprises to state-owned companies and private corporations.
Among the largest investments are the Laos-China railway, the Vientiane-Vang Vieng expressway, the Saysettha Development Zone outside the capital Vientiane, the Boten Special Economic Zone in the north on the Chinese border, as well as power transmission lines and hydropower plants.
“Benefits for both countries”
All of them have delivered “significant benefits to both Laos and China,” Vongphosy said, adding that the ministry is seeking ways to promote and manage more private sector investment in Laos in the future.
“There is considerable interest in investment in the mining sector, so in the process of project consideration and approval, it is important to focus on the terms and conditions set by investors,” he noted.
New energy projects
In terms of Laos’ substantial energy generation sector, the government plans to expand the electricity market in neighbouring countries to create openings for projects that have potential but lack market opportunities, the minister added.
Agriculture also has a great deal of potential and has received a lot of attention from Chinese investors, he said, noting that the government would encourage increased production to take advantage of new market opportunities for fruit and vegetables in China.
