Vietnam continues topping the list of
foreign investors in Laos for the second consecutive year with total
registered capital of 1.4 billion USD.
China ranks second with 932 million USD, followed by Thailand and the Republic of Korea.
According to the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment, foreign
direct investment (FDI) flows to Laos are expected to skyrocket this
year despite the global economic recession.
In the first nine months of this year, the Lao government licensed 208
projects with a total registered capital of 4.3 billion USD, up 1.2
billion USD compared to the same period last year. The projects focus
on mining, hydropower, industrial tree planting and garment.
Houmpheng Suralay, Director of the Investment Promotion Department,
attributed the sharp FDI increase investment potentials in Laos , which
boasts fertile land for industrial tree planting, abundant mineral
resources and a lot of rivers that are suitable for hydropower
development.
In addition, the Lao government has applied a “one-stop-shop” mechanism
in investment licensing, creating the most favourite conditions for
both domestic and foreign investors, he added./.