By June 2009, Vietnamese businesses had invested in 186 projects in Laos, the third highest amongst foreign investors in the country, according to statistics provided by the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The projects, which are worth over two billion USD, focus on four sectors: building hydropower plants, mining for minerals, agricultural development and services.

Vietnamese investment has also contributed to developing the country’s infrastructure and improving the local people’s standard of living.

Investment from Vietnam into Cambodia has kept growing over the years and according to local economic experts, Vietnam is likely to top this year’s list of foreign investors as its investment into its neighbouring country has surged during the past eight months.

Since July, 13 joint venture contracts worth nearly 500 million USD have been signed between Vietnamese investors and their Cambodian partners./.