Central Party Committee member, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr Malaithong Kommasith, chairs the ministry’s 3rd plenary meeting on Tuesday. --Photo Ministry of Industry and Commerce

Commerce ministry sets priorities for remainder of 2026

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has identified its main objectives for the remainder of this year, citing the translation of policies into action, addressing economic challenges, and strengthening Party-building and personnel development.
These goals were endorsed during the 3rd Plenary Meeting of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce held in Vientiane on Tuesday.
The meeting was chaired by Central Party Committee member, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr Malaithong Kommasith and brought together members of the Standing Committee, the ministry’s Party Committee, and secretaries of grassroots Party organisations.
According to the ministry’s online news release on Tuesday, the meeting reviewed the ministry’s performance over the first six months of 2026 and adopted a focused work plan to ensure effective implementation of key tasks for the remainder of the year.
Under the first priority, the ministry will accelerate the implementation of Resolution No. 4 of the Politburo of the Party Central Committee and other key Party and government directives by translating them into concrete programmes, projects, and legislation for the industry and commerce sectors.
Efforts to address economic challenges will focus on targeted research and policy measures, including price management, stable supply of essential goods, increased domestic production, state-owned enterprise reform, and modernisation of trade to strengthen economic resilience and competitiveness.
The ministry will also strengthen Party-building work and human resource development. This includes building the capacity and professional skills of officials and civil servants, and formulating a five-year personnel development strategy to support political and socio-economic development.
Meeting participants reviewed achievements over the first half of the year. These included efforts to ensure adequate fuel supplies during energy shortages, a crackdown on illegal mining and related incidents, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the removal of foreign trade barriers, and promoting the use of electric vehicles.
The meeting also highlighted issues requiring further action, particularly the need to accelerate implementation of Party and government directives, strengthen internal inspections, and improve accountability and performance among officials at all levels.
Addressing the meeting, Mr Malaithong called on Party organisations and officials across the ministry to strengthen unity, discipline, and responsibility in carrying out their duties, ensuring that policies and resolutions are translated into tangible results.
The meeting reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting national socio-economic development goals and strengthening the performance of the industry and commerce sectors for the remainder of 2026.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 2, 2026)