Laos has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting foreign direct investment by hosting the Lao Investment Forum in Osaka, Japan, on July 10.
The forum is an annual event co-organized by the investment promotion and management committee, JETRO and the ASEAN-Japan centre.
The forum drew over 120 participants from Laos and Japan and coincided with “Lao Day” celebrations at the Expo 2025 in Osaka, commemorating 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The event showcased Laos’ potential and opportunities for foreign direct investment, particularly in Special Economic Zones and industrial parks, and outlined the government’s investment promotion policies.
It served to strengthen economic ties between Laos and Japan, while creating a platform for Lao and Japanese business operators to network and exchange views in sectors such as agriculture, industry, transport, tourism, and services.
Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Khamjane Vongphosy, observed that the forum was taking place at a time when Laos is carrying out key reforms to its investment promotion policy.
“The government is introducing special investment incentives such as exemptions on import duties for raw materials and construction equipment used in production, as well as on exports and VAT for electricity, water, and other essential aspects of operations in industrial parks,” he said.
He added that one-stop service mechanisms are also being rolled out in industrial parks, while broader reforms are being pursued.
These include the digitalization of business registration and tax declarations, enhanced customs enforcement using modern technology, and the establishment of transparent data systems and dialogue platforms between the government and business sector to address operational challenges.
Mr Khamjane said he hoped the forum would foster stronger business networks and new partnerships between Lao and Japanese companies.
The forum informed participants about the latest updates to Laos’ investment promotion framework, especially the newly established policies for Special Economic Zones and the prime ministerial decree on industrial parks, which aim to create a more specific and enabling environment for investors.
Lao and Japanese business operators shared their experiences, success stories, and challenges in doing business in Laos.
These exchanges covered a broad range of areas such as manufacturing, services, transport, and tourism-related sectors like hospitality and restaurants, as well as agriculture and industry.