Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane, meets representatives of the Japan External Trade Organisation in Vientiane on Monday.

Laos seeks stronger Japanese investment partnership

The government has pledged closer cooperation with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), hoping to attract more Japanese investment and expand economic ties between the two countries.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane, made the commitment when he received a delegation from the Japan External Trade Organisation’s representative office in Laos on Monday.
The delegation was led by the outgoing head of the office, Mr Kikuchi Yasushi, and the incoming head, Mr Kawano Mitsuhiro.
Mr Thongsavanh thanked Mr Kikuchi for his dedicated service during his five-year term from 2021 to 2026 and praised his contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between Laos and Japan.
He also praised the Japan External Trade Organisation for promoting bilateral trade and investment and supporting the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Deputy Prime Minister congratulated Mr Kawano on his appointment and said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies stood ready to work closely with JETRO to further expand trade, investment and development cooperation in the coming years.
The Japanese delegation thanked the Lao government for its warm support and reaffirmed its commitment to continue strengthening cooperation with Laos, particularly in trade and investment.
The Japan External Trade Organisation is a Japanese government agency under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. It promotes investment and business cooperation between Japan and partner countries by providing information and advisory services to companies interested in overseas investment.
Its representative office in Laos was established in 2014 and has since become an important link between Japanese businesses and the Lao market.
According to the organisation, it has provided information and consulting services to about 10,000 Japanese business operators and facilitated agreements in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and transport.
In recognition of its contributions to Laos’ socio-economic development and investment promotion, the Lao government presented JETRO with a Friendship Medal in 2025.
Japan is one of Laos’ important economic partners and has made a significant contribution to the country’s development over the past three decades. According to the Lao News Agency, Japan has invested more than US$157 million in 93 projects in Laos since 1989. In addition, 61 Japanese companies have committed a further US$185 million in Special Economic Zones across the country.
The figures were highlighted at the Laos-Japan Business Forum held in Tokyo on June 11 during Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone’s visit to Japan for the 31st International Conference on the Future of Asia. The forum was also part of activities marking the 71st anniversary of Laos-Japan diplomatic relations.
At the forum, Deputy Minister and Vice Chair of the Investment Promotion and Management Committee, Mrs Phonevanh Outhavong, noted that Japan is the 14th largest foreign investor in Laos, with direct investment exceeding US$144 million.
Agriculture has attracted the largest share of Japanese investment at about US$59 million, followed by industry and handicrafts with US$30 million, wood processing with nearly US$20 million, services with US$13 million, and garment and textile manufacturing with around US$5 million.
The meeting between the Lao foreign minister and the Japan External Trade Organisation delegation comes as both countries seek to build on decades of friendship and economic cooperation and create new opportunities for investment that support Laos’ sustainable socio-economic development.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update June 26, 2026)