Investment OpportunitiesPriority Investment Area: Tourism
The tourism industry is one of the cornerstones for the local economy. Huge business potentials in this sector are not yet exploited. In December 2007 the New York Times named Laos as its number-one holiday destination. A tourist destination with this kind of pristine nature and picturesque character is unique and not easily be found elsewhere. Since Laos has opened its doors for tourism only few years ago, it can be assumed that mainstream tourism has not yet fully captured Laos as a holiday destination and that major revenues from tourism still lie ahead. The Provincial Tourism Administration of Champasak Province estimates a ten-fold rise in the number of tourists since 2001, tendency rising.
Priority Investment Area: Agriculture
World-wide soaring food prices and increasing demand turn agriculture into a lucrative business. Champasak’s outstanding strategic position between Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam offers a wide array of markets for agricultural commodities to neighbouring countries. Climate and soil offer best conditions for commercial agriculture and a diversity in production. Cash crop production of coffee, organic tea, rubber, vegetables, fruits and cashew has high potential. The lowlands of the province and the Mekong River basin are suitable for livestock rising, rice, cassava, jatropha and sugarcane production as well as aquaculture. It is said that possibly the best coffee growing region in Southeast Asia is on the Boloven Plateau in Southern Laos, Champasak Province. On the Boloven Plateau Arabica, Catimor and Robusta coffee are cultivated and renowned for their special taste and good quality. Investments are promoted along the agricultural value chain particularly for input supply, production and processing. The input supply segment needs animal feed and fertilizer, the production segment requires more cash crops, livestock rising, aquaculture, vegetable and renewable energy production. Supply of commodities such as meat, fish, fruits, rubber, coffee, cashew and pepper guarantee a constant supply chain for newly to be established processing plants.
Priority Investment Area: Industry
The total area of industrial zones surveyed in Champasak Province account for 2,284 ha. The industrial zone in close proximity to Pakse, hosts investment projects such as Lao Brewery Factory/Champasak branch, a furniture, wood manufacturing, shoe, a tile and concrete factory. 777 ha of industrial park land out of 1,012 ha are still remaining and can be provided to interested investors. The fledging manufacturing and processing sector offer high potentials. Processing of agricultural crops, manufacturing of supplies for the construction industry as well as electronics manufacturing meet only little local competition.
