Natural resources power growth

Chinese investment is supporting Laos' steady socioeconomic development

With abundant natural resources that the ambitious country continues to use as a solid platform for robust GDP growth and impressive socioeconomic development, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, more commonly known as Laos, is making steady progress towards its goal of middle-income country status by 2020.

Inflows of foreign direct investment reached $1.8 billion in 2012 as foreign enterprises raced to take advantage of Laos' high GDPgrowth rate and government reforms designed to promote business, create jobs, improve infrastructure, increase the provision of social services and reduce poverty levels.