(KPL) The foreign investment in Laos over the past six months of the 2007-2008 period reached almost US$200 million.
The figure was recently disclosed by the Department of Investment Administration and Promotion. The investment, by foreigners was over US$165 million and US$28 million was invested by locals.
The figure showed the national investment soared by 38.6% of the annual target.
The foreign investment was invested in 57 projects that agriculture sector was covered a large number had 18 projects worth US$52.7 million, followed by telecommunication sector was US$32.4 million and mining sector was US$30 million in six projects.
There were nine countries have invested in Laos over the past six months which China was a top list of investment covered 22 projects worth US$84 million, Vietnam has nine projects worth US$32 million, eight projects of Korea worth US$26 million and 10 projects of Thailand worth US$18,4 million and other countries respectively.
Over the past six month, Lao government has signed some Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sino-hydro Company on Nam Khane II, Nam Khane III Hydropower construction projects, now under the feasibility study.
The Government also allowed Electricite du France to invest in Nam Ngiep II hydropower construction dam.
At the present, the investor is now conducting a feasibility study and evaluation on environmental impact within 18 months.
In addition, the Government has authorised a Chinese company to invest in the Hongsa Lignite Power project and Nam Lik hydropower dam project.
Thailand used to in the top list, but at the bottom of four.
This is good trend, because Thai doing business in Laos are mainly the Disqo. or bar which has a lot of bad impact to Lao teenagers, like: bad havoir, speaking thai langauage, spoiling studying....
and also seem good news that the large investment in Laos is in agriculture.
