Asean integration boosts trade

The flow of goods and services to and from Laos is set to surge

The imminent integration of Laos into the ASEAN Economic Community, or AEC, will give the country a solid platform on which to develop its already fast-growing trade and industry sectors, particularly for firms involved in the agriculture sector and those with activities based on natural resources.

Next year's AEC membership will create a single regional market with 600 million consumers, and government officials are certain that access to this vast common market will be of particular benefit to SMEs as it opens up a wealth of business opportunities.