Vientiane Rendez-vous enhances Lao-French business connections
Vientiane Rendez-vous enhances Lao-French business connections
Vientiane Rendez-vous, a Lao-French business networking event, is working to enhance the connections, networks, and friendships between business people and policy makers in Laos and France.
The second edition of Vientiane Rendez-vous took place from January 23 to 27 in Vientiane, with the participation of more than 300 people from France, Europe, Laos and the Asean region.
The organising of the second Vientiane Rendez-vous is a very important step to enhance the friendships and working relationships between the two countries and also between communities in Europe, Asean, Laos, and France, said Chief Executive Officer of ARPE, Ms Nina Massis.
Ms Massis explained that there were several facets to the event but the main focus was the economic forum, which examined economic prospects in Laos and opportunities for business cooperation.
On the second day climate change and sustainable development in Laos was the topic of discussion while on the third day the participants examined the economy of the Franchoponie community of nations while tourism in Laos was the topic of discussion on the last day.
Ms Massis said the economic forum was an interesting one because their goal was to discover Laos and find potential investors to trade with Laos, which was stressed throughout the agenda.
We discussed how to finance business in Laos, about the environment in Laos and what the key sectors in Laos are, such as energy and tourism.
It was very important because it showed what is available to big companies that come to invest in Laos. Why is it important to stress that Laos is part of Asean? Because once you are in Laos you are not just working inside Laos, you are also able to work with the whole Asean region.
That's why the title of this year's forum was Laos as a Gateway to Asean, she said.
After chairing the Asean I think it is very important that Laos continues to exist [in the eyes of investors] and continues to attract attention.
We are also trying to open a new business perspective to all those speaking French. Tourism, of course, is a key sector in Laos.
We wanted to bring some prominent guests to share their experience and give some insights on how to manage a sustainable tourism industry in Laos. It should be an industry but it should also be sustainable.
During and after the event I think it is very important that people meet together, that all the companies coming from all sides make contacts. I think networking is the key,� Ms Nina continued.
It is important for us to showcase Laos. It is small but it has a key geographical position and from there we can open doors to all other countries.
Ms Nina said Vientiane Rendez-Vous was sponsored largely by BRED Group France, Banque Franco Lao, Ltd, Landmark Hotel, and was organized under the patronage of the Vientiane Mayor Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, the French Embassy in Laos, in partnership with ECCIL, The �Forum Francophone des Affaires�, the Paris CCI.
