Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith has a phone conversation with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to discuss development cooperation.

Lao, Singaporean PMs hold phone talks, seek stronger investment and energy ties

The governments of Laos and Singapore have agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and clean energy, deepening their longstanding ties, as newly elected Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith begins his tenure.
Mr Saleumxay held telephone talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on October 16 to discuss ways to expand cooperation in economic development, human resource training, clean energy and carbon credits.
Mr Wong congratulated Mr Saleumxay on his election as prime minister on October 5 and invited him to make an official visit to Singapore at a mutually convenient time.
The two leaders reviewed 52 years of diplomatic relations, which have grown through regular exchanges between senior leaders and stronger people-to-people links.
They also discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in areas that support economic growth and sustainable development.
Singapore ranks ninth among sources of foreign direct investment in Laos, with total investment valued at US$409 million.
The value of trade between the two countries climbed to approximately US$870 million over the five years from 2021 to 2025, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a post on social media, Mr Wong said Singapore and Laos enjoyed warm and longstanding ties, with cooperation continuing to grow in renewable energy and sustainability.
He added that Singapore would continue to support Laos’ development priorities through its capability-building programmes.
Human resource development remains an important part of the relationship. Since 1992, more than 17,202 Lao civil servants have benefited from short-term training under the Singapore Cooperation Programme and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration.
The two prime ministers also discussed carbon credits, an area that could offer further opportunities for cooperation as both countries pursue sustainable development.
Mr Saleumxay expressed Laos’ commitment to working closely with Singapore to further strengthen bilateral relations.
He also reaffirmed Laos’ support for Singapore’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2027 and thanked Singapore for its support during Laos’ ASEAN chairmanship in 2024.
Laos and Singapore established diplomatic relations on December 2, 1974. Air links between the two countries currently include three direct flights a week operated by Scoot Airlines, with plans to increase the frequency to five flights a week.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update October 19, 2026)