Govt opens doors for overseas Lao to invest at home

The government has launched a new initiative encouraging Lao nationals living abroad, and those of Lao ethnicity, to reconnect with their homeland and consider investment opportunities to foster socio-economic growth.

Mr Saleumxay Kommasith gathers with participants at the meeting on Tuesday.

The first meeting of overseas ethnic Lao took place on November 12 in Vientiane with the theme “Love Your Home Country” or “Huk Ban Keud”, hosted by the Committee on Relations of Lao People Abroad and the Lao Front for National Development.
The event provided a platform for dialogue on Laos’ policies, the nation’s development, and potential investment avenues, and was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Saleumxay Kommasith.
Mr Saleumxay encouraged Lao nationals living abroad to visit their families and reconnect with their roots, emphasising the government’s openness to those who wish to invest and build a livelihood in Laos.
“We warmly welcome those who have the capacity to invest in their homeland,” he said, adding that the government hopes to see more involvement from the overseas Lao community in driving village-level development and prosperity.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Bounleua Phandanuvong acknowledged the significant number of Lao nationals residing in the United States, Canada, France, Switzerland, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries.
Despite living in different environments, he noted, many overseas Lao maintain a strong connection to their cultural heritage, preserving Lao customs and traditions passed down through the generations.
“Their ties to our culture and traditions remain strong, even though they live in different environments,” Mr Bounleua said.
The government has long recognised the value of the Lao diaspora and has implemented measures to facilitate their connection to Laos, such as establishing a liaison committee in 2007 to provide legal support.
In 2021, the government issued a decree allowing Lao embassies to issue multiple-entry visas valid for six months, one year, or two years to eligible individuals, with exemptions from processing fees for those applying at Lao embassies or consulates, according to Mr Bounleua.
Speaking with the Vientiane Times, Mr Choumkham Luanglath, Chairman of Lao Relations in France, highlighted key policy proposals that would ethnic Lao living overseas.
“What people of Lao ethnicity living abroad want most is for the government to grant them the right to stay permanently in Laos,” he said, stressing the need for faster and more convenient processes.
Mr Choumkham suggested that people of Lao origin who live in other countries be allowed to own land in Laos which, he said, would encourage more people to invest and settle in the country.
“This approach could also attract the children of Lao people abroad to visit their ancestral homes,” he added.
During the meeting, overseas representatives shared their experiences and perspectives, with discussions covering topics like fostering unity among the Lao diaspora in France, encouraging young Lao expatriates to preserve their language and culture, organising Lao Buddhist monks across Europe, and assessing business opportunities in Laos.
The sessions also examined how the overseas Lao community could contribute to the development of technical expertise and human resources in Laos.
The meeting concluded with participants sharing suggestions and raising ideas on how the government can further support overseas Lao nationals.
Discussions highlighted the importance of understanding the aspirations of the Lao community abroad while strengthening their role in the development of Laos.

ByTimes Reporters
 (Latest Update November 13, 2024)