Doing Business in Laos 2009.pdf

3/26/2009 Doing Business in Laos: 2009 Country Commercial Guide for U.S. Companies INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 2008. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES. ? Chapter 1: Doing Business In Laos ? Chapter 2: Political and Economic Environment ? Chapter 3: Selling U.S. Products and Services ? Chapter 4: Trade Regulations and Standards ? Chapter 5: Investment Climate ? Chapter 6: Trade and Project Financing ? Chapter 7: Business Travel ? Chapter 8: Contacts, Market Research and Trade Events ? Chapter 9: Guide to Our Services 3/26/2009 Return to table of contents Chapter 1: Doing Business In Laos ? Market Overview ? Market Challenges ? Market Opportunities ? Market Entry Strategy Market Overview Return to top Statistics from the Economist Intelligence Unit and U.S. Government, for 2008 except where noted: ? Population: 6.0 million ? GDP: $4.5 billion ? GDP per capita: $874 ? Total Imports (fob): $1.4 billion ? Total imports from U.S.: $18.3 million ? Total Exports to U.S.: $42.4 million Thailand, Vietnam, and China dominate the Lao economy, with heavy participation in certain sectors by Korea, France, Japan, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. American companies play almost no role in Laos. Laos is one of five remaining communist countries in the world. Although it continues its transition to a market economy, the legacy of communism continues to weigh on both governance and the economy. Human capacity in Laos is low and finding skilled workers a major challenge. Useful Web links: U.S. Embassy in Vientiane, Laos: / U.S. Census Trade data: /foreign-trade/balance/c5530.html#2008 CIA World Factbook: /cia/publications/factbook/geos/la.html Market Challenges Return to top ? Customs procedures are often opaque, and duties levied often do not comport with listed tariffs. ? Commercial law and the comme