Over 30 business people from 20 different companies of the Indian business community in the Lao PDR attended the DFDL India Desk Seminar “Doing Business in Lao DPR – An Indian Investor’s Perspective” on 7 September 2012. The seminar was co-hosted by DFDL India Desk, DFDL Vientiane Office and the Indian Embassy in Lao PDR.
Press coverage of the seminar was provided by the country’s only English-language newspaper the Vientiane Times, which reported that “Indian investors are increasingly seeing the investment potential of Laos and business cooperation is steadily growing.”
The guest of honor at the event was H.E. Mr. C. Gururaj Rao, the Indian Ambassador to the Lao PDR. The ambassador’s support for the seminar heightened participant interest and added gravitas to the event. During his opening speech, the ambassador appreciated and endorsed the efforts of DFDL in educating the Indian business community on doing business in Lao PDR.
“DFDL can jointly work with ‘Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’ and ‘The Confederation of Indian Industry’ to promote Indian investments in various sectors across Lao PDR,” said the ambassador.
The seminar covered key aspects on doing business in the Lao PDR as relevant to Indian businesses, including:
- Legal and financing considerations
- Current legal/practical issues affecting businesses
- New tax law
There was an extended question-and-answer session during which audience members raised specific issues facing their businesses.
Vinay Ahuja, Head of DFDL India Desk, took the lead in organizing the event and presenting information. Also making presentations at the seminar were Brennan Coleman, Managing Director Laos, and Jack Sheehan, Regional Director Tax & Customs.
This was the first such event held by DFDL that specifically targeted Indian businesses in the Lao PDR. Based on the response to the seminar, DFDL is optimistic that this event and future ones will build stronger connections with this business community.
