(KPL) More than 100 representatives from government ministries, international organizations, and private companies from Korea and Laos convened in Vientiane on June 12, 2025, for the 2025 K-GREEN AGRO PARTNERING event. Co-hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Lao PDR, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao PDR, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the event marked a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation for green and sustainable agricultural development.

The one-day event aimed to present Laos’s roadmap for agricultural transformation, promote investment in smart farming technologies, and foster partnerships between Korean enterprises and Lao stakeholders. The program featured two key components: a morning policy forum and an afternoon business matching session.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Lao PDR, Jung Yung Soo commemorated 30 years of Korea–Laos diplomatic relations and reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to supporting Laos’s agricultural modernization and sustainability efforts.

Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Chanthakhone Boualaphanh, emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation in Official Development Assistance (ODA) and trade. She encouraged stakeholders to draw on Korea’s experience in smart agriculture to accelerate the modernization of Laos’s farming systems.

Ms. Kim Kyung-Mee, FAO Representative in the Lao PDR, highlighted the country’s abundant natural resources and underscored the importance of data-driven planning through FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative. She pointed to Korean innovations in smart agriculture as practical tools to address Laos’s agricultural challenges.

Presentations from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Planning and Investment, FAO, KOICA, and the Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC) outlined Laos’s agricultural policies, investment incentives, and international cooperation frameworks. Business case studies, presented by the Lao Farmers Network and Korean firm Solutek System, showcased successful models for collaboration.

Two significant agreements were signed during the event: a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Whybiz Corp. (Korea) and the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) to collaborate on smart agriculture R&D.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Whybiz Corp. and the Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Laos, to undertake joint research and pilot projects.

Mr. Boundeth Southavilay, Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, expressed his gratitude to the participants and praised the event for fostering collaboration. He called for continued efforts to advance agricultural investment, environmental sustainability, and capacity building in technology and infrastructure.

Mr. Park Jungwe, Director General of KOTRA Vientiane, concluded the forum by stating “Today’s forum offered a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas on the future of agriculture in Laos. We gained meaningful insights—from Laos’s vision of producing clean, sustainable food to Korea’s cutting-edge smart farming technologies. These shared perspectives will serve as a strong foundation for closer cooperation between our two countries.

KOTRA will continue to connect Korean and Lao companies for new business opportunities, support joint projects with local governments across Laos, and share Korea’s agricultural expertise through the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP) and other cooperation platforms.”

The afternoon business matching session brought together 12 leading Korean companies in smart farming and eco-friendly inputs—including Whybiz, INPRO, Helper Robotech, HBL, TG, Hyoshin Mechatronics, Capture, Agricultural Corporation Sinmirae, HYOSUNG ONB, O2&B, GENTOP, and AFFES.

These firms engaged with Lao partners such as the Lao Agriculture Business Association, Meuang Lao Farm, Yodsam, LDCI Smart Farming, Maliny Group, DDC Group, Toyo Pipe, and others.

The 2025 K-GREEN AGRO PARTNERING event concluded successfully, providing a dynamic platform for policy dialogue, practical collaboration, and investment matchmaking. It laid a strong foundation for future cooperation in modernizing Laos’s agriculture sector through technology-driven and sustainability-focused initiatives.

KPL