Last week, 2023 ECCIL EuroCham Laos officially launched its Luang Prabang chapter during a networking event by its Platinum Sponsor AIF.
Dilip Jesuthasan, Board Member of ECCIL and Director General of Best Telecom said in his opening speech, “An important partner supporting the growth and outreach of local and foreign businesses, ECCIL is pleased to officially expand to the heritage city and contribute to the development of the local business community.”
“As a key vector of development for the tourism sector and contributor to the local economic growth, Luang Prabang is also the ideal market to launch the Hospitality Advocacy Group, giving ECCIL the opportunity to keep building strong ties with the business community operating in Laos,” he added.
During the eventful evening, AIF group introduced their latest venture OneX, an e-commerce marketplace accessible directly in BCEL One bank app, to the Luang Prabang business community.
“We were very excited to introduce OneX to the vibrant Luang Prabang community and ECCIL members. Already offering goods from more than 5,000 merchants, access to a user base of over a million users active on BCEL One, and nationwide coverage thanks to the integration of third-party logistic services, we strongly believe we can help local businesses supercharge their online footprint while offering a comprehensive online shopping experience to everyone living in Laos,” said Thomas Courrèges, Chief Executive Officer of OneX.
Recently released in Vientiane in partnership with BCEL Bank and constantly expanding its local network of merchants, social sellers, and corporate partners, OneX is now available in the rest of the country with the aim to help digitalize local MSMEs and enable simple and affordable e-commerce to all.
The Chamber handover membership certificates to its new members in Luang Prabang, such as KS Resort Luangprabang (Sofitel & 3Nagas), Pullman, Avani, Sanctuary hotel, Discover Laos, Saffron coffee, Khopfa Mekong Cruise, Lao Friends Hospital for Children and The Hiker Laos who traveled from Luang Namtha province to join this event. The Chamber also took the opportunity to hand over the USD 10,000 cheque to the Lao Friends Hospital for Children in Luang Prabang, raised during the benefit organized to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
On top of this, Agroforex company, which is an ECCIL Platinum sponsor, also donated LAK 32,000,000 to the Lao Friends Hospital for Children, as part of its own Corporate Social Responsibility program continuing the dynamic of businesses dedicating funds to valuable causes.
“We are happy to join the ECCIL initiative for the donation to the Lao Friends Hospital for Children in Luang Prabang,” said Adriano Chagnaud, from Agroforex company.
“This contribution is part of our long-term engagement in Louangprabang where we have two branches, for regrouping productions and development. We have been consistently investing in the different aspects of production for more than 10 years, in 33 villages in three districts. The hospital and its development program will potentially be able to welcome children coming from this area of production,” added Mr. Adriano.
Finally, the event closed with the official launching of the ECCIL Hospitality Advocacy Working Group.
“Advocacy provides ECCIL EuroCham members with a platform to engage in dialogue with the Government of Laos, about implementation issues and other obstacles to doing business, while proposing ways to strengthen overall competitiveness and attractiveness for trade and investment. It is a service provided by the Chamber to its Members so that they have a forum in which they can address their sector’s needs and common issues,” said ECCIL EuroCham executive Director, Thiane Khamvongsa while introducing the working group.
She further added, “Wile we do have other sectorial advocacy groups in Vientiane, it made sense to launch the hospitality advocacy working group here in Luang Prabang. Advocacy groups are particularly important for SMEs as they give them a greater forum for making their opinions heard as one voice. It is a tool that aims to assist through the collective feedback of the private sector.”
