An online seminar “the Japan-Mekong Business Exchange in the Digital Era” took place on Oct 20 at the International Cooperation and Training Centre (ICTC) in Vientiane.

The Institute of Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Japan co-chaired the event to commemorate the Japan-Mekong Year 2021 with an aim to further promoting economic relations between Japan, Laos and the Mekong region at large.

At the seminar, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongphane Savanphet expressed his hope that the Japan-Mekong Year will push the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two nations to new heights.

Ambassador of Japan to the Lao PDR Takewaka Keizo emphasised that creating more business through capacity building is vital to link the enhancement of connectivity with the economic development of Laos in addition to the improvement of business environment. “E-commerce under the pandemic is not only a challenge but also a great opportunity for Laos,” he added.

Mr. Kawabata Takashi, a Singapore-based Japanese economist, gave an online lecture at the seminar to introduce leading initiatives and good practices from Japan and around the world in the area of e-commerce. He visualized business opportunities for Lao entrepreneurs in the post-COVID-19 era and presented opportunities, risks and effective business activities in the digital sector.

The seminar was joined by Lao government officials, teachers and students of the National University of Laos, and business people from both Laos and Japan.

Earlier in April, Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and then Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide had bilateral telephone talks and jointly confirmed the new “Action Plan for Advancement of Strategic Partnership between the Lao PDR and Japan.” The two countries are committed to further cooperation in developing digital economy, as well as capacity building for Lao entrepreneurs and business managers in the action plan.

Source: Lao News Agency