Business in Laos, Vientiane. Laotian Economy

1. Introduction to the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Southeast Asia ASEAN)
2. Laotian Economy
3. Business in Vientiane
4. International Trade of Laos
5. Business Opportunities in Lao PDR:
   1. Manufacturing
   2. Textiles
   3. Tourism
   4. Agribusiness
   5. Services
   6. Transport and Logistics
6. Investment in Laos
   1. Savan-Seno Special Economic Zone
7. Case Study:
   1. Lao Brewery Company
   2. Xaoban Group
8. Access to the Laotian Market
9. Business Plan for Laos

The objectives of the subject “Foreign Trade, Logistics and Business in the Lao People's Democratic Republic” are the following:

1. To analyze the Laotian Economy, Logistics and Global Trade
2. To identify business opportunities in the Lao People's Democratic Republic
3. To explore the Laotian trade relations with the student's country
4. To know the Laotian Trade Agreements
5. To examine the profile of Laotian Companies
6. To develop a business plan for the Laotian Market

The Subject “Foreign Trade, Logistics and Business in Laos” belongs to the following Programs taught by EENI Global Business School:

Doctorate: World Trade.

Masters: International Business, Foreign Trade.

Higher Education programs adapted to the Laotian Students.

Languages: or Laos Laos.

1. Credits of the Subject “Business, Trade and Transport in Laos”: 1

Economic Corridors related to Laos

1. East-West Corridor (Myanmar-Vietnam)
2. Nanning-Singapore Logistics Corridor
   1. Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Zone

Laotian Market Access and Trade Agreements:

1. Laos and the Buddhist Economic Area
2. ASEAN
   1. ASEAN Free-Trade Area
   2. ASEAN Economic Community
   3. Laos has trade agreements (as a member of the ASEAN) with China, India, the EU, Japan, Korea, Russia, and the United States
   4. ASEAN (Cambodia)-Australia-New Zealand (Free-Trade Area)
   5. Mekong Economic Cooperation
   6. Mekong River Commission
3. Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement
4. Regional Comprehensive Economic Association
5. Greater Mekong Subregion
6. Laos-Vietnam Trade Agreement
7. Laos-Thailand Preferential Trading Arrangement
8. GSP

Sample:

1. World Trade Organization (WTO)
   1. Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
   2. Agreement on the Application of Sanitary Measures
   3. Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade
   4. Agreement on Preshipment Inspection
   5. Agreement on Safeguards
   6. Trade Facilitation Agreement
2. Convention Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods
3. Is not a member of the
   1. BIC
   2. Chicago Convention (ICAO)
   3. International Maritime Organization (IMO)
   4. World Customs Organization (WCO)
      1. Kyoto Convention

1. Economic Commission for Asia (ESCAP)
2. Asian Development Bank
3. Boao Forum for Asia
4. Asia-Middle East Dialogue
5. Africa-Asia (Laos) Strategic Partnership
6. Asia Cooperation Dialogue
7. Laos-Europe Economic Meeting
8. Forum Laos-Latin America
9. Colombo Plan

1. United Nations
2. World Bank
3. World Trade Organization (WTO)
4. International Monetary Fund

1. The only legal political party is the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP)
2. The Lao People's Democratic Republic has a population of 6.8 million
3. 50% of the people of Laos are ethnic Lao
4. Laotian languages: Lao (official), English, French, and various ethnic languages
5. The Laotian Government introduced English at the primary school level in 2010
6. Borders of Laos: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, China, and Myanmar
7. Capital of Laos: Vientiane
8. Type of Government: Marxist-Leninist one-party state
9. Independence of Laos: 1949 (France)
10. Laotian Area: 236,800 km²

Main religion of Laos: 67% of Laotians are Theravada Buddhist (4 million).

Laos belongs to the Buddhist Civilization.

Economy of Laos.

1. Economy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Asia) is fundamentally a free market system with active central planning by the Government (similar to the Chinese and Vietnamese models)
2. Laotian agriculture, mainly rice farming, dominates the economy of Laos, employing 75% of the population and producing 29% of the GDP
3. Donor-funded programs accounted for 8.5% of the Laotian GDP
4. China is becoming a major player in Laos
5. The Chinese foreign direct investment in the Lao People's Democratic Republic is increasing at a fast rate
6. Despite the global financial crisis, the economy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic has performed moderately well
7. The Laotian GDP has reported steady growth at above 7%, and it is projected to continue growing continuously in the coming years
8. The Investment promotion Department, operating under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, formerly known as the Department for Promotion and Management of local and foreign investment, manages foreign direct investment system and reviews investment applications in Agreement to the Investment Promotion Law
9. The Laotian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry established in 1989 is an independent body that represents the business community in Laos
10. Currency of Laos: Kip (LAK)

Lao Brewery Co., Ltd. was created in 1973 as a joint-venture between foreign investors and Laotian Businessman initially under the registered name of Lao Beer and Ice Factory. At that time, the company had an annual production capacity of 3 million liters of beer, 1.5 million liters of carbonated drinks and a daily production capacity of 120 tones of ice.

The Xaoban Group produces and supplies home-made yogurt, fruit juice, honey, fruit jam, tomato sauce, pre-packed salad, and salad dressing and other natural seasonal products to customers in Vientiane and other urban areas in Laos.

International Trade and Business in Laos:

International Trade of the Lao People's Democratic Republic:

1. Laotian Exports: 1.950 billion dollars
2. Top Laotian exports products: gold and copper, electricity, wood and wood products, garments, coffee, other agricultural export products, rattan, and tin
3. Top Laotian export markets: Thailand, Vietnam, China, Switzerland, the UK, and Germany
4. Laotian Imports: 2.258 billion dollars
5. The largest Laotian imports are fuel, food, consumer products, machinery and equipment, vehicles, and spare parts
6. Top Laotian import partners: Thailand, Vietnam, China, South Korea, and Belgium
7. China is now the largest source of Foreign direct investment in Laos

Savan-Seno Special Economic Zone.

1. The Savannakhe Province in Laos is a thriving hub of international trade and services in the Greater Mekong Sub-region
2. Total exports in Savannakhet was USD 238 million, of which 92% (USD 218 million) was transit products

Laos was admitted into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN on July 1997 and applied to join the WTO in 1998. Laos keeps a “special relationship” with Vietnam and formalized a 1977 treaty of friendship and cooperation that created tensions with China.

Lao is a member of Food and Agriculture Organization, G-77, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (WB), International Development Association, International Finance Corporation, IMF, UN, United Nations Convention on Trade and Development, United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organization, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, WCO, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the WTO (observer).