According to Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com), last week, senior Lao government officials, a delegation of top Chinese entrepreneurs, and experts from the China Urban Economic Research Institute gathered in Vientiane for in-depth discussions on topics such as industrial cooperation, regional development, and the planning of the Daluan Lake Special Economic Zone. Among them, a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs, led by Chen Guangbiao, Chairman of Jiangsu Huangpu Renewable Resources Utilization Co., Ltd., held high-level dialogues with the Lao government and experts at the Daluan Lake Summit and Investment Forum. The summit and forum were held last Thursday at the Pullman Hotel in the Daluan Lake Special Economic Zone, co-hosted by the Daluan Lake Special Economic Zone and the China Entrepreneur Club (CEC).
More than 90 Chinese business leaders visited Laos, including chairmen of listed companies, heads of industrial groups, leaders of "Little Giant" professional enterprises, and seasoned overseas investors. As the largest, most meticulously prepared, and most influential Southeast Asian business delegation organized by the China Economic Commission to date, this visit marks a significant step forward in Sino-Lao economic and trade cooperation and signifies a shift in investment models from a decentralized approach to a collaborative "capital + industry + operation" model.
At the meeting, the Lao government outlined its stance on the development of special economic zones. Thanonxay Khoupathong, Director of the Vientiane Investment Promotion and Management Committee Office, detailed the functional positioning, industrial layout, tax incentives, and investment procedures of Vientiane's various special economic zones, with a focus on the Ta Luang Lake Special Economic Zone. He stated that this zone is the most comprehensive in the Vientiane special economic zone system, positioned as a core urban area integrating business activities, modern service provision, tourism development, and cross-border trade promotion.
Professor Fu Huayang, Vice President of the China Urban Economic Research Institute, pointed out that the China-Laos Railway has reshaped the regional logistics landscape and effectively reduced cross-border costs; while Southeast Asia remains an open and rapidly growing "quasi-blue ocean" market, Vientiane, located at the geometric center connecting the six ASEAN countries, possesses significant locational advantages. He added that improved tax incentives, convenient multi-currency capital flows, and optimized investment policies will create new advantages for Chinese enterprises investing in Laos. "The next 5-10 years are a crucial period for Chinese enterprises to position themselves in Southeast Asia," Professor Fu emphasized.
It is understood that the Daluan Lake Special Economic Zone is primarily developed by Chinese developers, who are responsible for land consolidation, infrastructure construction, and urban planning. They provide comprehensive policy support and full-process investment services, operating more like a comprehensive urban investment and development operator than a traditional industrial park. The zone integrates a golf resort, trade exhibition center, cross-border logistics, education, and medical projects, aiming to create a city-level demonstration zone for China-Laos cooperation.
During the summit, senior Lao government officials, special economic zone administrators, and the Chinese delegation witnessed an important philanthropic initiative: Chen Guangbiao donated medical and daily consumer goods worth 10 million RMB to Laos, adding a human touch to China-Laos cooperation.
