Laos to Host ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Forum and Awards in 2026

Laos is preparing to host the 2026 ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network Forum and Awards on October 2, 2026, in Vientiane, as it assumes the chairmanship of the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) for the 2026–2027 term. The event aims to foster regional exchange and recognize outstanding women entrepreneurs for their business achievements and contributions to social and economic development. Ms. Chanthachone Vongsay, Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and President of the Lao Women Business Association (LWBA), announced the event at a press conference on September 10. The forum and awards ceremony will be held at the Amari Vientiane Hotel. Candidates for the awards will be evaluated based on established criteria, including business growth, systematic expansion, and contributions to social development in their respective countries. This initiative is supported by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Lao Women’s Union, underscoring efforts to promote women’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship in Laos. AWEN is a regional network dedicated to promoting cooperation and women's economic empowerment across ASEAN, with its chairmanship rotating every two years. The LWBA serves as the official Lao representative to AWEN. In recent years, Laos has been focusing on diversifying its economy and promoting domestic industries. The "Made in Laos Exhibition 2026" is scheduled for October 3–11 at the Lao-ITECC Exhibition Center, bringing together 160 companies from 17 provinces to showcase Lao-made products and services. The "Lao Gold Festival 2026" officially opened on September 4, 2026, at the National Convention Hall in Vientiane under the theme “Lao Gold to Global Gold,” bringing together Party and State leaders, invited guests, and domestic and international entrepreneurs from the gold and jewelry sectors. Furthermore, efforts are underway to modernize public administration with the inaugural meeting of the National Steering Committee for the One-Stop State Service Mechanism, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith on July 23 in Vientiane, aimed at improving administrative efficiency. The World Bank projects Laos' economy to grow by 3.8 percent in 2026, but warns that recent macroeconomic improvements remain fragile amid renewed global uncertainty and rising oil prices. Despite global oil shocks triggered by Middle East conflicts, Laos has shown resilience through sustained policy adjustments that helped lower inflation, stabilize the kip, rebuild foreign reserves, and improve debt dynamics. These developments highlight Laos' commitment to strengthening its position as an economic hub in the ASEAN region, particularly through the active participation of women in achieving sustainable growth. However, vulnerability to international economic fluctuations remains a key challenge. Information Source: KPL Laos News