In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Lao PDR and the Republic of Korea, the Investment Promotion and Management Committee, the Embassy of the Lao PDR in the Republic of Korea, in collaboration with the Korea Industrial and Cultural Exchange Association (KICEA), successfully hosted the “1st Laos-Korea Investment Forum” on October 17, 2025 at KOTRA, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
The Forum brought together a total of 150 participants, including 120 representatives from Korean enterprises. The main objective was to create a crucial platform for Lao and Korean businesses to meet, enhance mutual understanding, and facilitate the exchange of ideas to promote greater business and investment cooperation between the two nations in the future.
The meeting reaffirmed the strong spirit of friendship and solid ties between Laos PDR and the Republic of Korea. It also demonstrated a firm commitment to increasing economic and investment cooperation, built on mutual respect and understanding, and driven by a clear shared vision for prosperity. As a result, bilateral trade and investment have been growing steadily.
Republic of Korea stands as one of the most important foreign investors in the Lao PDR. Since the country opened up to foreign investment, Korean companies have invested in a total of 272 projects with an overall investment value exceeding $914 million, including over $764 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). This places Republic of Korea as the 5th largest foreign investor in the Lao PDR, with successful enterprises from the ROK operating across vital economic sectors such as energy, services, and construction.
During the Forum, Korean investors expressed keen interest in new investment opportunities in Laos, particularly in fields such as innovative technology, energy, specialized consulting services, technology-applied agriculture, and others.
Mr. Bountheung Douangsavanh, Vice Minister, Vice Chairman and Standing Member of the Investment Promotion and Management Committee, who led the Lao delegation, expressed his sincere appreciation and extended an invitation to all South Korean companies to visit Laos. He urged them to explore the numerous investment opportunities where the Lao PDR holds strong potential for foreign investors, including those from the Republic of Korea. He stressed that the Lao PDR is committed to working closely with the business sector to ensure all investments are successful and mutually beneficial.
In a key moment of the event, the Investment Promotion and Management Committee Office and the Embassy of the Lao PDR in Republic of Korea signed a Record of Discussion (ROD) with the Korea Industrial and Cultural Exchange Association, Energy Valley Enterprise Institute and the Jeonnam Technopark. This signing affirms both Lao and Korean sides expressed its readiness to facilitate coordination and provide investment information, in line with its mandate, to further boost trade and investment from Republic of Korea to Lao PDR.
