Other Investment Policy Reviews
The OECD will release a new Investment Policy Review on Laos in 2015. The World Bank's 2014 Lao PDR Investment Climate Assessment is available at https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/lao/publication/lao-pdr-investment-climate-assessment-2014-policy-uncertainty-in-the-midst-of-a-natura-resources-boom.
Laws/Regulations of Foreign Direct Investment
The 2010 Law on Investment Promotion introduced uniform business registration requirements and tax incentives that apply equally to foreign and domestic investors. Foreigners may invest in any sector or business except those that the government deems to be detrimental to national security, health or national traditions, or to have a negative impact on the natural environment. There are no statutory limits on foreign ownership or control of commercial enterprises, but in practice, many companies seek a local partner. The government of Laos is working on a new law on Special and Specific Economic Zones, which should be considered by the National Assembly in 2015. Most laws of interest to investors will be featured on the Lao Trade Portal website, http://www.laotradeportal.gov.la, with many laws and regulations translated into English. The Law on Making Legislation stipulated that any legislation not posted by the end of 2014 to the electronic Official Gazette (http://laoofficialgazette.gov.la) would be void. Thus, all valid legislation should be available on the site, though many laws are only available in the original Lao.