Program and Event

American Business Mission Visits Vientiane

From left: Vice Minister of Industry and Commerce Khemmani Pholsena; Minister of Planning and Investment Soulivong Daravong; Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly, Ambassador Huso, and Paul Acito of the American Chamber of Commerce, Thailand.

Ambassador Huso addresses guests at a reception in honor of the business mission.

Representatives of twenty-four American companies visited Vientiane on May 6-8 to explore opportunities for investing and doing business in the Lao PDR. The business mission was sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, the American Chambers of Commerce in Southeast Asia, and the U.S. Commercial Service and was co-hosted by the Lao National Chamber of Commerce. Among the companies participating were 3M, General Electric, Citibank, and Motorola. 

A number of senior Lao government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly and Minister for Planning and Investment Soulivong Daravong, briefed the mission's members on business opportunities in the Lao PDR. Ambassador Huso told the delegation that this is a promising time to be doing business in Laos, given the country's growing economy and increasing engagement with the region and the rest of the world. 

Members of the mission visited several Vientiane-based businesses, including Lao Ford City, which sells a range of Ford vehicles. Following the conclusion of the formal program, delegation members had an opportunity to discuss business opportunities with Lao government officials and business representatives at a reception at Ambassador Huso's residence.