Dr Boviengkham Vongdara (front centre), Dr Sonephet Inthavong and other participants attend a seminar.

Ministry pushes for creation of National Data Centre and data integration for digitalisation

The Ministry of Technology and Communications, in partnership with Phounphonnakhone Co., Ltd., on Monday hosted a seminar aimed at  establishing a National Data Centre and integrated data systems. With supported by Phounphonnakhone Co., Ltd.
This initiative is a key step towards accelerating the digital transformation of Laos by creating a centralised and unified digital infrastructure.
The seminar brought together government officials, private sector representatives, and technical experts to explore strategies for effective data management and collaboration.

Dr Sonephet Inthavong.

The meeting, titled “Development of the National Data Centre and Data Integration Towards Digitalisation”,  was attended by the Minister of Technology and Communications, Prof. Dr Boviengkham Vongdara;Vice Chairman of the Major Shareholder Committee of the Phongsavanh Group, who is also President of Phounphonnakhone Co., Ltd., Mr Phaiboun Phongsavanh. and senior ministry officials
At the event, Vice President of Phongsavanh Group and CEO of Phounphonnakhone Co., Ltd., Dr Sonephet Inthavong  presented a report on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a feasibility study on investment in the development of a National Data Center and a Government Data Exchange System. The MoU was signed between Phounphonnakhone Co., Ltd. and the Ministry of Technology and Communications.
Additionally, the report included presentations on Vietnam’s digital transformation background (Background of Digitisation in Vietnam),
Understanding of national data centers (Background Understanding of IDC), and the data exchange platform related to the population of the Lao PDR (DX Lao Population) by experts from VNPT Company, Vietnam.
Dr Boviengkham said that as the lead agency for digital development in Laos, the ministry was fulfilling its role in driving nationwide digital infrastructure and technology adoption. This includes supporting digital transformation across all sectors, from central ministries to local departments.
“Data is a critical national resource,” a ministry spokesperson said. “To unlock its full potential for socio-economic development, we must collect, integrate, and use it in a more unified and systematic manner.”
With global digital trends rapidly advancing—especially in the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI)—the ministry stressed the urgent need to establish Big Data capabilities.
AI, while driven by high-performance computing, fundamentally depends on the availability of large, well-organised datasets to function intelligently and deliver real value.
“Big Data is not only the backbone of AI but also a powerful tool for evidence-based policymaking, efficient public service delivery, economic planning, and innovation,” the spokesperson said.
Phounphonnakhone Co., Ltd. is an IT company under the LA Group, which is part of the Phongsavanh Group, a group of companies that has been in existence for almost 50 years.
The Phongsavanh Group has conducted business that has contributed to the development of Laos in many fields, such as communication systems, commercial banking, gold banking, insurance, warehousing and logistics systems, construction engineering, fuel import and distribution, international-class hospitals, import and export trade, and convenience stores, Dr Sonephet said.
However, this sector has been slow to expand because of many limitations, mostly relating to a lack of technological expertise and capital, despite the best efforts of the Ministry of Technology and Communications and the government as a whole to set up a national data center.
Dr Sonephet pointed to Laos’ strategic geographic location as a potential regional hub, its competitive low-cost energy resources, and the rapid global expansion of the data centre and digital services industries as favourable conditions for the success of the initiative.
Phounphonnakhone Co., Ltd. has demonstrated a strong commitment to assisting the Party and government’s digital economic development.  
According to the ministry, many government bodies have already begun integrating technology into their workflows and building their own digital databases.
However, the lack of standardised approaches has resulted in fragmented data systems, inconsistent methodologies, and duplicated investments.
To address these needs, the ministry has proposed a National Digital Infrastructure Development Plan, which focuses on the establishment of a National Data Centre.
This facility will serve as a centralised, secure, and standardised platform for government data management, enabling inter-agency data exchange and informed decision-making.
The government is partnering with Phounphonnakhone Co., Ltd. to conduct on June  year 2025 a feasibility study on the development of a National Data Centre and Government Data Exchange System, as another step on the road to modernising the country’s digital infrastructure.
The venture aims to elevate Laos’ data management capabilities to international standards, steering the nation into a new era of digitalisation.
As agreement on the partnership in this endeavour was signed in Vientiane between the Head of Office of the Ministry of Technology and Communications, Mr Phouangpaseuth Keosouvanh, and Vice Chairman of the Major Shareholder Committee of the Phongsavanh Group, who is also President of Phounphonnakhone Co., Ltd., Mr Phaiboun Phongsavanh.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update October 1, 2025)