Dr Souphaphone Saignaleuth outlines Laos’ investment potential at the 15th Meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee for Northern Laos and Yunnan Province held in Vientiane on Monday.

Laos seeks more investment from Yunnan

Laos is stepping up efforts to attract more investment from China’s Yunnan province as the two sides work to strengthen trade, transport links and economic cooperation.
This commitment was underlined at the 15th Meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee for northern Laos and Yunnan province, which took place in Vientiane on Monday, bringing together senior officials and business representatives from both countries.
Speaking at the annual meeting, Standing Vice President and Head of Office of the Laos-China Cooperation Committee, Ms Saengdeuane Sayasone, said the meeting was a golden opportunity for Laos to specify its investment priorities and hear directly from Chinese companies about their needs and expectations.
Deputy Director General of the Investment Promotion and Management Committee Office, Dr Souphaphone Saignaleuth, outlined the investment opportunities available in Laos.
She highlighted the country’s political stability and its central location, bordered by five nations: China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Laos is also home to vast tracts of fertile land and significant potential for expanding renewable energy. These strengths, she said, give Laos strong prospects in agriculture, processing industries, and green energy.
Laos’ membership in the World Trade Organisation, ASEAN and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership reinforces its readiness to engage with regional and global markets.
To create a more supportive business environment, the government has pledged to treat domestic and foreign investors equally.
The One Stop Service system continues to assist investors with licensing, visa documents, investment certificates, and the issuing of Master Lists for importing raw materials. It also plays a key role in arranging business matching to help Chinese firms partner with Lao companies, Dr Souphaphone said.
A major focus of the meeting was the push to advance the Laos-China Economic Corridor, which relies on major infrastructure such as the Laos-China Railway, the Vientiane-Vangvieng Expressway, and upgraded border crossings.
These transport links have reduced travel times, lowered logistics costs, and opened up new opportunities in tourism, trade and cultural exchange.
The Lao side also put forward an “investment calling” list covering projects in the provinces of Luang Namtha, Huaphan, Savannakhet, Phongsaly, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang and Salavan.
These projects span Special Economic Zones, public-private partnership schemes, crop cultivation, animal husbandry, agricultural processing, renewable energy, and tourism.
Several large projects funded by Yunnan companies are already underway. These include sections two, three and four of the Laos-China Expressway. Other developments of various sizes are progressing in mining, agriculture, services, and small industries across the northern provinces.
Delegates noted that new transport links, especially the high-speed Laos-China Railway, have transformed movement between the two countries. The railway has made freight transport faster, more reliable and more cost-effective, and boosted cross-border trade and tourism.
Trade between Laos and China has continued to grow. Total trade value was recorded at US$8.23 billion in 2024, while figures for the first six months of 2025 have already reached US$4.6 billion.
China remains the top export destination for Laos, and Chinese investment in all sectors now exceeds US$18 billion, making China the largest investor in the country.
Ms Saengdeuane said Chinese companies bring strong financial capacity, broad experience and access to large markets, while Laos offers natural resources and political and social stability.

By Phonepaseuth Volakhoun
(Latest Update November 25, 2025)