Lao Delegation Seeks Investment and Connectivity at Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong

Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Standing Member of the Government, Saleumxay Kommasith, led a delegation to the 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong on September 9, 2026. At the summit, he highlighted Laos’ development priorities and called for enhanced cooperation in connectivity, investment, and sustainable development. The summit, held in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China under the theme “Advancing High Quality Development • Embarking on a New Journey,” was opened by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and gathered over 6,000 participants from more than 80 countries. Addressing the opening ceremony, Mr. Saleumxay welcomed the continued development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and underscored Hong Kong’s pivotal role in connecting markets, investments, and business partnerships. He also emphasized the positive impact of the Laos-China Railway, operational since 2021, in improving regional connectivity by reducing travel and transport times and lowering logistics costs. The railway has been instrumental in supporting cross-border trade and travel, contributing to Laos’ ambition to transition from a land-locked to a land-linked country. The Deputy Prime Minister stated that the summit’s focus on high-quality development aligns with Laos’ 10th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026–2030), which prioritizes developing Laos into a regional logistics hub, accelerating digital transformation, and supporting a smooth and sustainable graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. He encouraged BRI partners and international investors to explore opportunities in Laos, particularly in trade and investment, tourism, industrial development, digital connectivity, clean and renewable energy, human resource development, and sustainable agriculture. On the same day, Mr. Saleumxay held a bilateral meeting with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee to discuss trade and investment cooperation and future collaborative areas. He also met with Hong Kong business leaders and witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Finance of the Lao PDR and China International Capital Corporation (CICC) for a feasibility study on the potential issuance of Lao government Panda bonds in China’s capital market. The Lao delegation also participated in the 2026 Lao-Hong Kong Business Dialogue and other side events focused on promoting investment, clean energy, and financial cooperation between Laos and Hong Kong. Information Source: KPL Laos News