Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng has called on domestic businesses to thoroughly study the Laotian market and policies, and to propose concrete investment ideas and projects.

At the forum “Government Leaders of Vietnam and Laos with Businesses”, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng praised Laos’ reform efforts and development potential. Recently, the Lao Politburo decided to establish an Investment Promotion Committee to directly assist and resolve obstacles for businesses.

“This move reflects Laos’ focused, substantive, and effective reforms,” the Deputy Prime Minister said. He highlighted several sectors in which Vietnamese businesses should enhance research and investment participation, such as renewable energy, mining, high-tech agriculture, tourism, and the rubber industry.

He urged the Lao Government to continue creating the most favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to conduct business and contribute to Laos’ economic development. At the same time, he emphasized that Vietnamese companies “must follow through on their commitments, invest and operate seriously, comply with the host country’s laws, and nurture the special relationship between the two sides.”

“Vietnamese corporations and enterprises should study the Laotian market and legal policies in depth, propose investment ideas, and ‘transform’ them into concrete projects, contributing to realizing the potential for economic cooperation,” he said.

At the forum, representatives of Vietnamese enterprises proposed several cooperation and investment projects in Laos. Specifically, Trần Công Kha, Chairman of the Vietnam Rubber Group, suggested expanding rubber plantation projects and applying high technology in Laos.

Đào Ngọc Cường, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam National Chemical Group, expressed his hope that the Lao Government would support mechanisms to shorten the approval time for feasibility and environmental impact reports when implementing projects. He also proposed that Laos facilitate the hiring of unskilled labor and accelerate land clearance and compensation progress.

Laos is actively streamlining its administrative system, reducing procedures, and reforming its investment promotion mechanisms. According to Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, the Lao Government recognizes the determination and commitment of Vietnamese businesses investing in Laos. He noted that enterprises can directly communicate and coordinate with the Investment Promotion Committee and relevant ministries to address obstacles together.

“We hope the two sides will cooperate more closely and effectively to implement strategic priority projects,” Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith said, affirming that Laos encourages investors from both countries to exchange regularly and strengthen collaboration.

He also affirmed that the Lao Government is always open and welcoming to Vietnamese businesses, and hopes that Vietnamese investors will increase both the quantity and quality of their investments. This aims to make Vietnam the number one investor in Laos in the near future.