Lao, Japanese public, private sectors bolstering trade, investments

Authorities in Champassak province focused on enhancing the trade and investment environment during the 4th Lao-Japanese Joint Public and Private Consultation Meeting on  February 17.
The meeting brought together government officials and business representatives to discuss key issues affecting trade and investment. It was held at the provincial government office and co-chaired by the Governor of Champassak province, Mr Alounxay Sounnalath and the Japanese Ambassador to Laos, Mr Koizumi Tsutomu.

The Governor of Champassak province, Mr Alounxay Sounnalath (right), co-chairs a meeting on February 17.

he meeting’s primary objective was finding effective solutions to these issues to facilitate Japanese investments in Champassak province.
Besides improving infrastructure, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and enhancing trade and investment conditions, the discussions aimed to encourage economic growth, promote tourism, and simplify procedures for entering and exiting Laos.
The discussions focused on various crucial topics – streamlining the process of issuing different types of permits, improving Road No 13 South (from Main 8 to Main 19 in Pathoumphone district), addressing electricity supply challenges, ensuring 100 percent tax obligation notifications through the TAXRIS system, and enhancing the efficiency of the one-stop service system.
The dialogue underscored the strong commitment of Lao and Japanese stakeholders to fostering a business-friendly environment and strengthening economic ties between the two sides.
Earlier this year, the Prime Minister of Laos, Mr Sonexay Siphandone, led a delegation of senior officials and business representatives to Japan to meet with leaders and business people and exchange views on ways to bolster bilateral cooperation.
The two sides agreed to encourage their business sectors to work towards starting direct flights between Laos and Japan in the near future to facilitate people-to-people contacts.
The two heads of governments, during their recent meeting, highly valued the growing bilateral ties and cooperation between their countries’ political parties, states, parliaments and peoples over the past decades.
According to a report from the Ministry of Planning and Investment, during a meeting with Japanese business leaders in Japan on January 22, which was attended by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Japanese businesses made significant contributions to Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Laos.
Currently, 57 Japanese companies are operating within these SEZs, including 41 wholly Japanese-owned enterprises and 16 joint ventures with Lao partners, with a total capital of US$183 million.
The number of newly registered companies with Japanese investment continues to grow. Between 2023 and 2024, 69 such companies were registered with a total investment of US$138 million, with interests in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, finance, wholesale and retail.
The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr Malaythong Kommasith, reported that trade between Laos and Japan has exceeded US$1 billion since 2018. In 2024 alone, two-way trade was valued at more than US$255 million, marking a 10.4 percent increase compared to the figure for 2023.
Key trade items include clothing, electrical appliances, vehicles, machinery and synthetic fibres.
In the realm of investment, Japan has contributed to different sectors in Laos, including agriculture, services, education and manufacturing.
Japan ranks among the top five trading partners of Laos, according to a recent monthly update on the Lao PDR trade portal.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update February 19, 2025)