ASEAN-Korea Centre organized the Trade Facilitation Workshop for Lao MSMEs on Food and Food Packaging Industry on 15-17 May 2018 in Vientiane, Laos. Jointly organized with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce(MOIC) and the Lao Chamber of Commerce and Industry(LNCCI), the Workshop aimed to enhance competitiveness of Lao MSMEs in the food sector, thereby facilitating trade between Laos and Korea. Korean delegations, comprised of businesspersons from 4 companies and four experts in the field of food and food packaging industry, shared their expertise and conducted one-on-one business meetings with local MSMEs at the Trade Facilitation Seminar.

The Seminar was held on 16 May at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Vientiane. Mr. Nongchith Khambounheuang, Head of Trade and Investment Unit of ASEAN-Korea Centre, Secretary General of Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry(LNCCI) and Mr. Sonemala, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce(MOIC) attended the opening ceremony to deliver their remarks. Following the ceremony, presentations by the Korean delegation on Korean food market as well as Korean market access strategies were delivered. After the Seminar, the Korean delegates and Lao MSMEs representatives had one-on-one business meetings to strengthen network for future businesses.

As part of the Workshop, Korean delegation visited local companies, M-point Mart, a local convenience store; a Dao Coffee Company, a leading coffee producer in the country and Vienthong Herb, a company that specializes in herbal medicinal products to gain a better understanding of local business environment and build networks.