ECCIL EuroCham and European Union Delegation Co-organized Lao-Europe Business Networking and Promotion Event

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ECCIL EuroCham and the European Union Delegation.

The European Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lao PDR (ECCIL EuroCham) and the European Union Delegation in Lao PDR co-organized the 1st Lao-Europe Business Networking and Promotion Event on Monday at the Crowne Plaza in Vientiane.

The event was attended by H.E. Dr. Sinava Souphannouvong, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines, several representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and from the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Throughout the afternoon, guests and visitors saw exhibition booths from companies’ members of ECCIL EuroCham showcasing their businesses, services, and products, and were later introduced to EuroCham and Team Europe’s work in supporting trade, investment and private sector development in Lao PDR.

Exhibition booths from companies’ members of ECCIL EuroCham showcasing their businesses, services, and product.

“ECCIL EuroCham, has worked for a decade on raising the profile of Lao PDR in the European business community as an investment destination and on creating a “single voice” of European Businesses advocating for an improved business environment” said Thiane Khamvongsa, Executive Director of the European Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lao PDR.

Executive Director of the European Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lao PDR, Thiane Khamvongsa speaking at the event.

She added “ECCIL EuroCham and the European Union Delegation are long time trusted partners sharing the common goal of supporting European companies, but also of assisting in the development of the local economy and fostering sustainable and responsible private investment in the country. Tonight’s event aims to celebrate the ties between the Lao and European business communities in Lao PDR.”

During the event, ECCIL EuroCham and EU, who both work on facilitating and increasing two-way investment and trade flows between Lao PDR and Europe, introduce their respective programmes and activities to support entrepreneurs in Lao PDR.

“The EU re-oriented its strategy in Lao PDR, and made it a top priority to support trade and private sector development, together with other Team Europe partners, to support green and inclusive growth”, explained Mr Vincent Vire, Head of EU Cooperation in Lao PDR. “The EU will thus reinforce its collaboration with ECCIL and its members in this regard, to promote quality responsible investment, especially from EU countries, and increase EU trade with Lao PDR”.

“We were shown statistics for regional trade with EU, and it is obvious that we right now are behind our neighbouring countries which means there is a significant scope for increased Lao trade with EU.  Let us use this event as the kick-off for intensified cooperation between chambers, and between chambers and the Government of Lao PDR with the common goal to increase Lao export to EU, and to attract responsible European investors to Laos!” added Mr Peter Fodge, President of ECCIL EuroCham.

ECCIL EuroCham and the EU delegation in Lao PDR will also co-host another Lao-Europe Business Networking and Promotion event in Luang Prabang on Friday, May 27th.