Lao and Chinese officials sign Memorandums of Understanding to promote transparency in the Saysettha Development Zone in Vientiane and the Boten Special Economic Zone in Luang Namthaprovince.

Laos, China ink pact to enhance transparency in key development zones

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and governance in bilateral development projects, Lao and Chinese officials have signed agreements relating to the Saysettha Development Zone in Vientiane and the Boten Special Economic Zone in Luang Namtha province.
The agreements were signed during a working visit to Laos by China’s Yunnan Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection on June 25, at the Yunnan Construction Investment Holding Group (YCIH) in Vientiane.
They mark an important step in improving oversight and accountability in economic development zones.
The first Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the State Inspection Authority of Vientiane on cooperation to ensure transparency in the Saysettha Development Zone.
The signing was witnessed by the Chairman of the State Inspection Authority of Vientiane, Mr Vilaysack Nammonty, and his Chinese counterpart from Yunnan province.
Additionally, on June 27, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between China’s Bo Han-Boten Economic Cooperation Zone Management Committee and the Luang Namtha Provincial Special Economic Zone Management Committee.
This agreement endorses development of the zones in ways that are both transparent and efficient.
The Luang Namtha Provincial Special Economic Zone Management Committee was represented by the Head of the Boten Special Economic Zone Management Committee, Mr Siphone Kongchampa, alongside representatives from the Bo Han-Boten Economic Cooperation Zone Management Committee.
The signing was witnessed by senior Lao officials including the Vice President of the State Inspection Authority, Mr Xaykham Ounmixay, and Chairman of the Provincial Party Inspection Committee-State Authority, Major General Chansavang Thipkounthong, along with Chinese counterparts.
The Saysettha Development Zone is a state-level project that was initiated by the governments of Laos and China. It is funded, developed and operated by the Laos-China Joint Venture Investment Co., Ltd.
In 2010, Vientiane authorities and Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd. signed an agreement on the establishment of a Lao-Chinese joint venture to oversee the funding and construction of the Zone.
Development of the Zone is taking place in three phases. Phase I comprises the construction of factories and business facilities on an area of 4 square kilometres. Phases II and III will mainly involve the development of logistics, commerce, trade, tourism and real estate businesses, and work towards the creation of Vientiane New City.
In the far north of Laos, close to the Chinese border, developments at the Boten SEZ, located in Luang Namtha province and otherwise known as “Boten Beautiful Land”, are among the largest in Laos.
Under a Chinese developer, the Boten SEZ is being refashioned into an urban and tourism centre, as well as a trade and logistics hub.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 2, 2025)