Laos – China Investment Forum 2017 at the 14th China-ASEAN EXPO, 13th September 2017, Nanning, China.
During the 14th China-ASEAN Expo 2017, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat and Department of Commerce of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region organized Laos-China Investment Forum 2017 in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on 13th September 2017. There were over 100 participants from central government and provincial authority, and businesses from Laos and China.
In the opening remarks of Dr. Khamlien Pholsena, Vice Minister of Planning and Investment, China and ASEAN have about 1.9 Billion of population which are covered about 27.1% of world population and 18.18% of world GDP. This reflects China and ASEAN play important role in the world economy. In order to broaden this role, China and ASEAN must deepen the cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, and others. It will go in line with the “One Belt One Road” of President Xi Jingping. This initiative will be initiative of peace, prosperity and civilization.
The Laos-China Highspeed Railway Project is the historical investment project which will connect Laos to the region and facilitate the trade, investment and tourism. Moreover, it reaffirms the support on the “One Belt One Road” initiative.
As for the Chinese investments to Laos, it is ranked as No. 1 interns of investment volume with the amount over US$7.2 Billion and accounts for 25.2% of total foreign direct investments. Three popular areas of investments are mining, energy and agriculture.
In order to promote and attract investment from China, Dr. Khamlien emphasized that investors are special guests of the government which should be treated nicely. Government and investors must have mutual benefits or win-win benefits. The problems of investors are the problems of the government. Thus, the government must solve those problems in order to enable the business environment.
The Laos-China Investment Forum focused on 03 areas such as investment in special economic zone (especially in the Xaysetha special economic zone), investment in tourism (especially 2018 is the visit Laos year) and investment in agriculture (especially exporting rice).