Thailand ranks as the top investor in Laos

Thailand ranked as the top investor in Laos, with most projects focussing on construction of hydro-electric dams to produce electricity for Thailand. Chalermpol Pongchabab-napha, an official at the Thai Embassy in Vientiane, said during the first quarter of the year, Laos' foreign and local investment promotion and protection department had approved a total of 89 foreign investment projects worth $1.5 billion (57 billion baht).

Of this, 22 Thai projects valued at $643 million, or 41.56 % of the total investment value in Laos, had won investment privileges. Thai investment value is up by 42.64% compared to the previous year's investment worth about $450 million (about 17 billion baht). The next biggest investors are Vietnam, China, South Korea and Singapore. Power generation projects are most favoured by Laos, with six of them worth about $1.2 billion. Second are construction projects with an investment value of $130.6 million.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/220706_News/22Jul2006_news07.php

WOW. IMPRESSIVE!

How come there arent any Lao companies who would invest in their own land?

there aren't any laotian people or companies wealthy enough to invest in laos, hey we're a poor country but there are laotian-american entrepreneurs (and from wat i heard, french-laotians too) going back to laos to invest in some businesses

If you are Lao, ask yourself that same question to find the right answer!

that's why laos arent making progress. What ya'll need to do is make friends with western countries or japan. Thailand is not the long-term answer for Laos to have success. I know that thai movies might be great for many kun lao but thats not the solution. Sorry kun lao but truth hurts so face it.

Give it some time. Thanks cousen Thailand and the rest of the countries for hookin it up wit the bidness.

Not cousin--more like sister Thailand. Laos and Thailand are sister states.

Thanks for your contribution cousin Thailand

Mai pben rai poo sao!

You have to remeber Laos is shakey for Laos-American investors because of the government. I'm currently invovled in a joint venture with AUS investors. So there are Lao-American investors but not in the hundred millions dollar investment yet just the tens. And yes, Thai and Laos are cousin... it's like the NOrthern states and the sourthern states of the US. Texans speak defferntly than New Yorkers... Laos will eventually be developed it all depands on the government to stop the currutption. Laos gets enough money from those investments and it's not going back into the country. But hopefully things will change

^the govt is putting the money into the country, how much they're putting in is questionable. though like you said, not alot of money is being invested that's why it doesn't seem like the govt isn't putting much in into the country

Your right some money not much goes back to the country the rest you can guess..

if u dont mind me asking, whats ur joint venture?

The rubber industry and mining

I'm currently in Thailand

I've heard that there is so much red tape and payoffs involved that it makes it difficult for prospective investors to want to carry through with any projects. Has it been difficult for you? Has it cost you a pretty penny just to get the paperwork completed?

China is already a big player in Laos. Thailand can not be compared to China. http://www.rfa.org/lao/khao/khaolao/2007/0...-in-Bokeo-Prov/