Laos-Australia Business Forum opens in Vientiane
Laos-Australia Business Forum opens in Vientiane
The Australia New Zealand Business Association and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday hosted a business forum in Vientiane as part of activities to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Australia.
The Laos-Australia Business Forum 2012 also aimed to boost bilateral trade and investment between the two countries, raise awareness of their respective business strengths and opportunities, discuss constraints to the expansion of commercial activities, and foster relations between Laos and Australia.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Ms Khemmani Pholsena, delivered a speech to open the half-day forum.
Australian Ambassador to Laos Ms Lynda Worthaisong, Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr Oudet Souvannavong, PanAust Managing Director Mr Gary Stafford, and Australian business operators and government officials also attended the event.
According to the forum organisers, talks centred on a number of issues ranging from legal and financial services, taxes and regulations, and mining services.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms Khemmani said Laos would become a full member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) next year, adding that this is a clear indication of Laos' strong commitment to improving the country's business climate.
The government has amended a number of laws relating to business and economics regulations to meet WTO requirements, she said, adding that the Australian government has supported Laos' bid to join the global trading community.
Mr Worthaisong said she hoped the meeting would boost the links between Australian and Lao businesses, raise awareness of each others' strengths and interests, and provide a range of other useful information to participants.
“This year, 2012, marks the 60th anniversary of unbroken diplomatic relations between Laos and Australia, and we understand that makes ours the longest or equal longest partnership that Laos has with any country,” she said.
“Not only has it been a very long partnership, but it has been an extremely broad and positive partnership. I don't need to go into the details here, but suffice to say Australia and Laos have a shared history of cooperation in nearly every sector, through development assistance, foreign trade and investment and/or people-to-people connections.”
Mr Oudeth said the forum was very important because it created opportunities for businesspeople from Australia, New Zealand and Laos to discuss and exchange views on issues related to the business environment, trade and investment.
vientiane times
