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Laos eyes increased exports to China

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Laos eyes increased exports to China, drop in imports
| Publication date 22 April 2019 | 14:45 ICT


Lao exports to China this year are expected to increase to $1.510 billion, while imports will decline to $985 million. VIENTIANE TIMES/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

LAO exports to China this year are expected to increase to $1.510 billion, while imports will decline to $985 million, according to the latest projections from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

Last year, Laos planned to earn $1.478 billion from exports to China but achieved only $1.406 billion, and expected to spend $945 million on imports but the final figure was $1.381 billion.

Laos’ main exports to the northern neighbour are ore sand, rubber and rubber products, copper and copper products, bananas, corn and fertilisers. In turn, Laos imports electrical appliances, vehicles and spare parts, mechanical and electronic equipment, steel and steel equipment.

China is now the biggest foreign investor in Laos and the country’s second largest trading partner.

In 2016, Laos exported about $1.133 billion worth of goods to China which rose to $1.233 billion in 2017.

The increasing number of Chinese investors in Laos and cooperation projects by both governments is a major reason for the increase in imports from China.

The China-Laos railway, the launch of Laos’ first satellite, hydropower development and other projects funded by China have helped to promote connectivity between the two nations.

The government is optimistic that exports to China will rise this year in view of increasing trade and economic cooperation.

Agriculture is seen as an important sector to bolster Lao exports to China especially bananas, rubber, fertiliser, cassava and sweet corn.

The Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce has asked China to consider a rice import quota of 50,000 tonnes along with accepting other industrial goods as part of efforts to bolster trade.

The ministry also asked China to consider more quotas for Lao products to Chinese markets this year, especially rice, rubber and other industrial and agricultural goods.

The call for the increased rice quota comes after 20,000 tonnes were purchased in 2017 by China’s Xuanye (Lao) Co Ltd following approval from China’s National Development and Reform Commission.

The government this year will strive for imports worth $5.775 billion and total exports of $5.516 billion after last year achieving $5.848 billion and $5.410 billion respectively.

Thailand is still Laos’ top trading partner among neighbouring countries and bilateral trade expands year-on-year.

VIENTIANE TIMES/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
 
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China Signs USD 1.5 Billion Deal to Purchase Agricultural Products from Laos
May 31, 2021

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Lao and Chinese officials and businesspeople sign an agreement via video conference.

Chinese businesses have signed an agreement to purchase nine types of agricultural produce from Laos in a deal worth over USD 1.5 billion.

The nine agricultural products China will purchase from Laos include beans, cassava flour, frozen beef, cashews, mangos, durian, soybeans, bananas, and sugar, according to a report by Pasaxon Newspaper.

A signing ceremony took place on Friday in Vientiane Capital, attended by Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Khampheng Saysompheng, and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Phet Phomphiphak.

“We have been working on expanding agricultural areas over the past five years, with nearly 100,000 hectares of land now operating commercial farms in the southern and central provinces of Laos,” said Mr. Phudsapa.

Laos and China have already made a 20,000 ton rice purchase agreement, according to the Minister of Industry and Commerce, and Laos will continue to export 50,000 tons of rice to China in the future.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Phet Phomphiphak says Laos currently exports seven agricultural products to China, including corn, cassava, bananas, rice, watermelons, sweet potatoes, and beans, among others.

President of AIDC company, Mr. Pheutsapa Phoummasack, says the export value of USD 1.5 billion would be over five years, from 2021 to 2025.

Chinese agricultural companies have also begun to grow various fruits in Laos for export back to China. By 2020, a total of 239 Chinese companies had invested USD 590 million in agriculture and forestry in Laos, making China the country’s largest agricultural investor.
 
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