Celebrating the Winners of ASEAN Business Awards Laos 2018 Friday, September 28th, 2018 Crowne Plaza, Vientiane Capital

The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) hosted the ‘Gala Night’ for the ASEAN Business Awards Laos 2018 (ABA Laos) on Friday, 28^th of September 2018 in Vientiane Capital. Mr. Oudet Souvanavong, the President of the LNCCI and the Lao representative to the ASEAN Business Advisory Council welcomed H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Soumdy Duangdy, H.E Minister of Industry and Commerce Khemmani Pholsena, Deputy Ministers, H.E Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Lao PDR Jens Peter Luetkenherm, 2018 ABA Laos Award Winners and the leaders of the Lao Business community among others to this auspicious occasion.

In his opening remark, Mr. Souvannavong illuminated that, “the primary purpose of the ASEAN Business Awards (ABA) Laos is to recognize outstanding enterprises in Laos that are innovative and responsive to the market needs”. He highlighted that the winners here tonight are ready to compete not just in Laos but regionally if not globally.

This year the categories outlined by ABA Laos is in coherence with the requirements of the ASEAN Business Awards that will be held in Singapore later in November 2018. Additionally, an esteemed panel of judges representing Lao academia, and the business community in close cooperation with KPMG warrantied the transparency, fairness and professionalism to the selection process of the winners.

Applauding the champions, H.E. Khemmani Pholsena accentuated on the importance of such platforms in boosting the confidence of Lao SMEs that have been successful in doing credible and responsible business in Lao PDR. “Recognition of such high standards will enable Lao Enterprises to be more credible and go beyond the frontiers with confidence to make full use of the ASEAN Economic Community”, she stated.

During the event, the Vice President of LNCCI, Mr. Thanongsinh Kanlaya launched a video presentation on ABA Laos called “A Journey to Success”. The short film showcased inspiring experiences of the past winners from Laos at the ASEAN Business Awards 2017 in the Philippines. Their participation at the ASEAN Business Awards paid off in terms of increased visibility and valuable new business contacts with businesses from other ASEAN Member States.

The awards are classified in major categories: Lao Priority Integration Sector Award, SME Excellence, and Special Awards (recognising Young Entrepreneur, Friends of Laos, Women Entrepreneur, Innovation, Legacy and Promising Enterprises).

H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Soumdy Duangdy handed a total of 20 awards to the respective winners in all three categories.

In his congratulatory toast to the winners, H.E. Jens Peter Luetkenherm, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Lao PDR stated that, “Germany is a proud supporter of this initiative and thus, recognizing and rewarding the achievements of Lao Businesses is an important way to celebrate their contributions to the growth of this great nation”. He shared his confidence that the winners here will gain significantly in reputation and have improved possibilities to network, thus, facilitating access to investments, technologies and markets.

The winners enjoyed the gala evening by posing for pictures with key dignitaries and enjoying the cultural programme which was an integral part of the celebrations that evening.

The project on Regional Economic Integration of Laos into ASEAN, Trade and Entrepreneurship Development (RELATED), implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, has provided strategic, technical and financial assistance to the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in efficaciously unfolding this event.

About GIZ Laos

GIZ, as part of the German Development Cooperation, has been active in Laos since 1993 and is currently implementing projects in two priority areas: rural development and economic development. Moreover, GIZ engages in good governance and participates in regional programmes for example with the Mekong River Commission.

Please visit www.giz.de/laos for further information on GIZ’s work in Laos and worldwide.

About RELATED

Project description of the RELATED project
https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/17473.html

Please contact Mr Hartmut Janus (Hartmut.Janus@giz.de) for more information.

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