Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – Laos' capital market has achieved a historic breakthrough – Supreme Smarty Fund Management Co., Ltd. (SSF) was officially established, becoming the country's first officially licensed fund management institution. The company's opening ceremony was held in Vientiane, attracting numerous high-level figures from the financial sector.
Multiple legislative and preparatory efforts laid a solid foundation for the company's establishment: the Lao National Assembly approved the revised Securities Law in 2019, and the Decision on Licensing Fund Management Business was updated in 2023, providing a clear legal framework for the industry's development; in December 2024, the company also conducted specific personnel training and assessments to ensure that relevant personnel possess the necessary competence to perform their duties.
The SSF launch ceremony was jointly presided over by Surissa Thammunouvong, Vice President of the Bank of the Lao People's Democratic Republic; Phongsavath, CEO of SSF; Ekaphan Phapitak, Chairman of the JDB Public Shareholders Committee; and representatives from relevant industries. Chairperson of the Asset Management Committee, Phonsey Phonsaong, congratulated the company's senior management, noting that the establishment of SSF marks a significant leap from zero to one for the Lao fund management industry, a remarkable achievement worthy of recognition. This breakthrough is attributed to years of meticulous preparation and legislative reform.
Phonsey Phonsaong expressed confidence in Laos' future economic development, predicting rapid growth over the next decade, with energy, mining, tourism, and agriculture as key growth areas. She revealed that the State-Owned Enterprise Reform Committee established this year and the listing process for state-owned enterprises will significantly promote capital market development; the Securities and Exchange Commission plans to join the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSC) this year, further broadening the market prospects for Lao private equity funds.
SSF CEO, Phongsavath Lenam, provided a detailed introduction to the company: Established on November 19, 2025, it is a joint venture between Pineal Investment Co., Ltd., founded by Chinese investor Li Xiaoming, and the Joint Development Bank (JDB), with a registered capital of 30 billion Lao Kip. Headquartered in the Asia International Building in the Dalluang Lake Special Economic Zone, Vientiane, it received its official operating license on January 2, 2026.
Phongsavath Lenam stated that SSF's vision is to become a bridge connecting Laos' domestic and international capital markets, enabling Lao citizens to participate in global investment and facilitating international capital entry into the Lao market. This year, the company plans to launch two core products: a private equity fund to enhance the liquidity of high-quality listed companies, and a foreign securities investment fund. The latter, under the supervision of the Bank of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Secretariat of National Economic Affairs of Laos (SECO), will provide local investors with legal access to major global markets such as China, Hong Kong, and the United States.
