On 10th November 2026, in Manila, Philippines, the Investment Promotion and Management Committee Office (IPO), representing both the Committee and the Government of Lao PDR, participated in the 2026 ASEAN Investment Forum. This high-level event, themed “Navigate Our Future, Together,” convened over 300 distinguished participants, including senior leaders from the public and private sectors of ASEAN member states, development partners, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), major international institutions, and key representative organisations.
During this pivotal session, Mr Phouvong PHAOPHONGSAVATH, Director of the International Investment Cooperation Division, IPO, elucidated the fourth agenda item, underscoring that FDI in the mining sector of Lao PDR and the advancement of mining industry, congruent with the 5-Year Industrial and Commerce Development Plan (2026–2030), engenders considerable investment prospects throughout the entire mining value chain. This encompasses exploration, extraction, and mineral analysis, as well as processing, value-added production, and the fabrication of metals with minimal greenhouse gas emissions and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. In practice, substantive and measurable transformations are increasingly evident. Notably, the government has amended the Law on Minerals to facilitate investment in this domain by attracting reputable investors with demonstrable financial capacity. The emphasis has shifted toward establishing sophisticated processing facilities rather than exporting unrefined ore, creating opportunities for in-country value addition while prioritising sustainable exploration, extraction, and processing, as well as increasing domestic electricity utilisation. These developments mark a critical inflection point, steering the mining sector in Lao PDR toward greater professionalism and regulatory standards aligned with regional and international benchmarks.
Concurrently, the Investment Promotion and Management Committee Office capitalised on this platform to advance the nation’s profile and solicit investment from international business stakeholders in attendance. This endeavour was executed through an array of promotional modalities, including investment brochures, VDO on investment opportunities, tourism destinations, and souvenirs.