The First Top Executive Meeting was a great success!

The European Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lao PDR (ECCIL) and the Joint Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Lao PDR have successfully hosted the very first Top Executive Meeting 2019, which was held on Wednesday, 15th May 2019 from 18.00 to 21.00 at Crowne Plaza, Vientiane, with the support of their generous sponsors namely RMA Lao (Lao Ford City, Lao Jaguar and Land Rover), Lao Coca-Cola Co., Ltd and more.The event was a high-level networking event providing an opportunity for participants from different business backgrounds to create new contacts, gain new insights for doing business in Laos as well as meet with top government officials, attracting approximately 200 guests, comprised of the members of the various foreign chambers, prominent figures in the business and diplomatic communities, and top government officials such as their guest of honour, H.E. Mr. Somdy Duangdy, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and H.E Mme. Khemmani Pholsena, Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

H.E. Mr. Somdy Duangdy, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance delivered the key note speech for the event on behalf of the Government of the Lao PDR, expressing his congratulations to the joint chambers of industry and commerce for organising this important event which will provide a forum and opportunity for the Government, the Private Sector, foreign and domestic investors and representatives from international organizations to meet with one another in order to discuss, exchange perspectives and develop business relations so that the government can continue to promote the growth and development of businesses in the Lao PDR and their capacity to compete at the regional level and the world at large as well as contribute to the socio-economic development of the Lao PDR specifically the reduction of poverty, creation of jobs and raising the livelihood and well-being of  the people.

On the occasion, it was emphasised that the Government of the Lao PDR attaches great importance to ensuring and maintaining macroeconomic stability and will continue to promote economic growth in the future. In addition, they will also continue to promote an open market and the integration of the economy with the region and the world as well as the construction and development of infrastructure to enhance intra-regional connectivity which is essential for the country and can only be achieved through public-private partnership. In this regard, H.E. Mr. Somdy Duangdy would like to call upon everyone to continue to seek out the opportunities presented by the implementation of the various government policies in parallel with the consideration of the present realities, potential for competition, possibilities and regional and global trends. If there is an opportunity, it is urged that initiatives to develop an investment project is taken. On this front, the Government will continue to facilitate conveniences for their efforts and resolve any issues encountered by businesses in a timely manner.

A presentation by Mr. Khoon Goh, Head of Asia Research at ANZ Singapore was later given on the brief ASEAN economic outlook, followed by a panel discussion on the New Economic & Business Trend in Lao PDR with Mrs. Vatthana Dalaloy, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Lao PDR, Mr. Somphuang Phienphinith, Director General of Enterprise Registration and Management Department, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Oudet Souvannavong, President of the LNCCI and Mr. Tee Chee Seng, General Manager of Savan Pacifica Development Co., Ltd. as their panelists to round out the evening with great success.