2009 Investment Climate Statement - Laos

摘要

The Lao government is open to foreign investment as a matter of policy. It allows 100% foreign ownership of investments. The overall investment climate is poor but improving. Laos rates very low in international indices of transparency and ease of doing business. The economic reforms adopted in 1988 and Decree No. 73/PO, dated October 22, 2004, purport to promote foreign direct investment as a means of boosting development and economic growth. Under the 2004 Law on the Promotion of Foreign Investment, scheduled to be updated at the end of 2009, foreign investors may invest in all business sectors and zones of investment in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, except in business activities which are detrimental to national security, have a negative impact on the environment, or are regarded as detrimental to health or national traditions.