05/12/2025
In the end of November, 2025, Anhui Enterprises Set Sail, Forging Shared Success with ASEAN — 2025 Laos Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation Promotion Conference Concludes with Success
The conference was hosted by the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and jointly organised by the BrightChoice Group with Its Partnerships to Promote the ASEAN-China Future Industry Connect Trade & Innovation 2026.
A distinguished Lao delegation of 13 members, comprising government and business representatives, was led by Madam Manichanh Sonekhamxay, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Lao Embassy in China; Mr. Vangchai Vang, Deputy Director-General of the SME Promotion under the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce; and Mr. Thanousone Phon-Amat, Vice President of the LNCCI.
The event received guidance from senior officials of departments including the Foreign Affairs Office of Anhui Provincial People's Government and the Anhui Provincial Federation of Industry and Commerce, as well as the Foreign Affairs Office of Hefei Municipal People's Government. It attracted participation from over 80 enterprise representatives from across Anhui Province, spanning sectors such as new energy, digital economy, cross-border logistics, and cultural tourism, all keen to explore fresh opportunities for collaboration between Anhui and Laos.
Charting a New Chapter in Collaboration
During the opening addresses, Madam Manichanh Sonekhamxay spoke first. She reflected upon the traditional friendship and recent cooperative achievements between China and Laos, notably highlighting the significance of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026. She emphasized Laos's ongoing efforts to cultivate a more favorable investment climate for Anhui enterprises through measures like optimizing market access and streamlining approval processes. She expressed her hope that this promotion conference would serve as a springboard to elevate bilateral cooperation to new heights.
Mr. Wang Nianbao, Member of the Leading Party Members' Group and Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Anhui Provincial People's Government, elaborated on the context and advantages of Anhui-Laos cooperation from strategic perspectives including the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta and the construction of the Anhui Pilot Free Trade Zone.
Mr. Thanousone PhonAmat, Vice President of the LNCCI, underscored Laos's investment potential, detailing preferential policies in areas such as tax incentives and land use. He noted that, as the host unit for the "2026 ASEAN Economic and Trade Expo," the LNCCI would leverage resources from various ASEAN business associations to facilitate precise partner matching for participating Anhui enterprises. He expressed his desire for this event to become a "bridgehead" for Anhui enterprises entering ASEAN markets, conveying the strong willingness of the Lao business community to deepen industrial cooperation with Anhui counterparts.
Mr. Ge Wensheng, Second-Level Inspector of the Anhui Provincial Federation of Industry and Commerce, encouraged Anhui enterprises to seize the dual opportunities presented by the RCEP policy dividends and the 65th anniversary of China-Laos diplomatic relations. He urged them to actively integrate into the ASEAN industrial chain to achieve "collective global expansion and mutually beneficial development."
Precisely Aligning with Industrial Demands
During the presentation session, Mr. Manitto Phomphoti, Deputy Secretary-General of the LNCCI, delivered a detailed briefing in fluent Chinese. He outlined the progress in logistics park construction along the China-Laos Railway, development plans for new energy (solar and hydro) projects, and cross-border trade facilitation measures, providing clear guidance for Anhui enterprises to precisely align with industrial needs.
Subsequently, Ms. Alounkone OUTSA, Director of Sales and Marketting of Souphattra Hotel Group, highlighted premium projects such as the Luang Prabang Cultural Tourism Complex and the Mekong River Ecological Tourism Belt, showcasing the cooperative potential within Laos's cultural and tourism industries.
Establishing an ASEAN Cooperation Platform
A core segment of the conference featured a keynote presentation by Mr. Ding Yi, Vice Chairman of the BrightChoice Group and Head of the Lao Yangtze River Delta Representative Office (in preparation). He introduced the "2026 ASEAN-China Economic Trade and Innovation Expo & Anhui Enterprises Global Expansion Summit Forum." Scheduled for May 2026, the Expo will feature two core exhibition zones: the Anhui Sci-Tech Innovation Zone and the Cross-Border Trade Matchmaking Zone. It will be complemented by thematic forums for Anhui enterprises to engage with ASEAN nations, closed-door government-business dinners, and on-site project inspections, comprehensively establishing a cooperation platform for Anhui enterprises to "engage directly with ASEAN and achieve precise matchmaking." He cordially invited provincial enterprises to leverage this opportunity for "collective expansion," to deeply cultivate the ASEAN market and explore overseas business prospects.
Pragmatic Exchange for Shared Development
During the interactive dialogue session, participating enterprises posed questions to the distinguished guests concerning the "2026 ASEAN Economic and Trade Expo" and the ASEAN market, focusing on industrial directions, policy guidance, and landing services. Mr. Vangchai Vang, Mr. Wu Fan (Founder of the Haipai Hua Shang Global Entrepreneurs Club), Mr. Ding Yi, and Mr. Manitto Phomphoti provided detailed responses to the enterprises' concerns.
This conference served as a significant initiative to deepen practical China-Laos cooperation and support Anhui enterprises' global expansion. It highlighted the substantial value of industrial complementarity and mutual benefit while solidifying the foundation for supporting corporate internationalisation.
Following the conference, the Bright Choice Group, will take a leading role in advancing the follow-up cooperation consensus and accelerating preparations for the 2026 ASEAN-China Expo and Summit Forum. The Group remains dedicated to supporting Anhui enterprises in exploring the ASEAN market through integrated, full-chain services, contributing fruitful outcomes to celebrate the 65th anniversary of China-Laos diplomatic relations, and supporting the high-quality development of Anhui's international engagement.
