Distinguished speakers at the opening ceremony included Mr. Maithong Thammavongsa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR and Standing Member of the Steering Committee for Economic Diplomacy; Mr. Chindavong Phosikham, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Provincial Department of Finance, Luang Prabang Province; and Mr. Zhang She Ping, Consul General of China in Luang Prabang.

In his remarks, Deputy Minister Maithong emphasized the critical role of science and technology in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He noted that strong digital system development offers significant economic and social benefits but must be supported by consumer protection measures and the enhancement of IT skills to ensure the workforce is prepared for the digital age.

He also outlined the importance of international, regional, and sub-regional cooperation in digital economy development, with particular attention to the LMC framework. Such cooperation, he stated, is essential for driving industrial transformation, strengthening foundations for economic integration, expanding digital trade and financial services, and improving cross-border information connectivity. The LMC mechanism is expected to play a vital role in promoting technology adoption among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and supporting the Lao PDR’s transition toward a fully digital economy.

Following the opening ceremony, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a seminar titled “Strengthening Future Economic Growth: Building Digital Economic Capacity within the Mekong–Lancang Regional Cooperation Framework.” Supported by the LMC Special Fund, the seminar was chaired by Ms. Vilayluck Sen-douangdeudh, Deputy Director General of the Department of Economics. More than 70 experts, resource persons, and participants from both government and private sectors attended.

The seminar focused on assessing the current landscape of digital economic development in the Lao PDR, highlighting progress in government and business sector digitalization and exploring ways to leverage digital systems to enhance economic diplomacy. Presentations covered key themes such as national policies, mechanisms, and regulations related to the digital economy; cross-border e-commerce and digital trade; payment system management; and the potential and progress of the Smart City development model in Luang Prabang Province.

The seminar concluded successfully, enabling a productive exchange of insights and information among all participants.

KPL