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Laos

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Socialist civil lawSocialist one-party republicReviewed· 2026-08-03
Capital
Vientiane
Population
7,600,000
Languages
Lao
Currency
LAK

Laos · Business

Business in Laos

What the atlas records on business in Laos, checked against the primary sources cited below.

Business

Enterprise registration under the 2022 Enterprise Law

Reviewed· 2026-08-03

The Law on Enterprise, most recently revised in 2022, governs company forms and registration through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The Investment Promotion Law 2016 sets the concession and incentive framework, with controlled and open business lists determining whether additional approvals are needed. Registered capital requirements vary by sector.

Governing law

  • Law on Enterprise, No. 46/NA of 2022 — Company forms and registration.
  • Law on Investment Promotion, No. 14/NA of 2016 — Incentives, controlled and concession lists.

In practice

Limited companies register with the Enterprise Registry at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Controlled business activities require sectoral approval in addition to enterprise registration. Concession activities require an approved concession agreement and are typically large infrastructure or resource projects. Foreign investors may hold 100% in most open sectors. Whether an activity is 'general', 'controlled' or 'concession' determines the entire approval path — resolve this before drafting. Minimum registered capital for foreign investment is set by sector, not by a single national figure.

Sources

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