A delegation led by Mr. John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), visited Vientiane, Laos from July 28-30 to deepen economic and trade relations. The visit resulted in the signing of twelve memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering trade, investment, finance, fintech, transport, logistics, and education, promoting mutual prosperity between Hong Kong, Laos, and the ASEAN region.
Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the delegation included leaders from international, Mainland Chinese, and Hong Kong enterprises. Key sectors represented were finance, innovation and technology, professional services, infrastructure, transport, logistics, energy, and hospitality.
Exploring Business Opportunities
The delegation visited significant sites like the Vientiane Saysettha Development Zone and Vientiane Railway Station to assess business opportunities and the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). They also engaged with local business chambers, such as the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and Lao Chinese Chamber of Commerce (LCCC), to explore collaborations.
Fostering SME Growth
Discussions highlighted supporting Lao SMEs in finance, renewable energy, green finance, agriculture, and forestry. Dr. Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, emphasized the mission's goal of fostering cooperation and leveraging Hong Kong’s superconnector role to support Laos' economic ambitions.
MoUs Signed
- Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong, China and the Customs Department of Laos
- Invest Hong Kong and Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- HKTDC and Lao Chinese Chamber of Commerce
- HKTDC and Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- HKTDC and Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce
- CCB International (Holdings) Limited and Phongsavanh Group Co., Ltd
- CLP SEA Infrastructure Limited; CGN Energy Technology (Laos) Co., Ltd and Krittaphong Group Co., Ltd
- Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) and Vientiane Capital Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Goldford Group and Lao National Digital Technology Group Co., Ltd (LADT)
- Lao National Digital Technology and HashKey Capital
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Vientiane Secondary School (VSS)
- The Hong Kong Shippers’ Council (HKSC) and Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Future Prospects
The visit is part of a broader ASEAN mission aiming to strengthen ties with Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The HKSAR Government and HKTDC will host the Belt and Road Summit on September 11-12 in Hong Kong, offering further opportunities for Lao companies to connect and collaborate.