Forum to boost investment in Lao stock market

Forum to boost investment in Lao stock market

Laos will host an investment forum in Vientiane in the middle of this month as part of measures to boost investment in the stock market.

The Lao Securities and Exchange Commission Office, Lao Securities Market, BCEL-KT and KT-ZMICO yesterday announced a joint project to hold the first Symposium on Investment Opportunities in Laos from September 15-16.

The two-day forum will give foreign investors the opportunity to meet top government leaders, receive an overview of the 7th five-year national socio-economic development plan, and air their worries about investing in the Lao stock market.

Officials from the Bank of the Lao PDR will give a presentation on monetary policy, while officials from the Lao Securities and Exchange Commission Office will guide investors on Lao government policy and laws related to the stock market.

In addition, representatives of BCEL-KT, one of two securities companies in Laos, will give a presentation about investment opportunities in the Lao stock market.

About 50 foreign investors, including Thai businesspeople, are expected to attend the event, according to BCEL-KT, which is the main sponsor of the forum.

Lao Securities Exchange indexes saw major surges after the start of trading in January. The indexes have been declining over the past few months. The forum host hopes the seminar will help boost investment in the stock market in the wake of this decline.

Speaking at a press conference at the Lao Securities Exchange, Lao Securities and Exchange Commission Office Head Ms Vatthana Dalaloy said the forum will be important to help foreign investors learn more about investment opportunities in the new Lao stock market.

She said the commission also plans to hold a number of workshops on investment opportunities for local investors as Lao people lack the required knowledge and experience to invest in stock markets.

Ms Vatthana admitted that one of the main reasons for the drop in trading volume is that many Lao people do not know how to make best use of the stock market information provided to them.

Despite the troubles, BCEL and EDL.Gen, the only two companies listed in the stock market, have seen continued growth, according to a recent report. This report should have encouraged investment, yet many people did not heed the information, which meant stock indexes have dropped.

Lao Securities Exchange Chairman and CEO Mr Dethphouvang Mouralat said the upcoming forum will help encourage foreign investment in the stock market amid economic problems in many western countries, adding that the Lao stock market is committed to providing fair and transparent services.

BCEL-KT officials said Laos is a highly attractive investment destination as the country continues to see rapid economic growth. They also said the profits of the companies listed in the market continue to increase, which should give investors satisfactory returns.

vientiane times