As the lead of ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN - BAC) 2024, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), has identified its goal: To enhance connectivity and resilience of the ASEAN region.

The LNCCI, which is under the leadership of Mr. Oudet Souvannavong, has expressed its strong support of the Lao government’s ASEAN agenda of:

• Integrating and connecting economies by focusing on economic integration. This means building more stronger and meaningful connections with ASEAN and ASEAN partners;
• Forging an inclusive and sustainable future by supporting outcomes on sustainable agriculture, new ecotourism standards, a strategy for crop burning reduction and a new approach to energy infrastructure and power trade across ASEAN borders;
• Transforming for digital future by making ASEAN a leading digital economy, building deeper connections across ASEAN and using modern tools.

The LNCCI will focus on the two core values of connectivity and resilience through six key priorities, namely:

• Digital Transformation – Digital transformation can boost ASEAN growth, empowers MSMEs, and encourages responsible ethical tech use;
• Sustainable Development – Equitable access to energy, financial incentives, and renewables are key for Net Zero in Southeast Asia;
• Health Resilience – Prioritize on One ASEAN Healthcare Market, VTD R&D Manufacturing and de-risking private sector investment in healthcare;
• Foo Security – Strengthen food security, promote sustainable production, enhance information systems, and identify nutritionenhancing agricultural mechanisms for sustainable ASEAN food systems;
• Trade and Investment Facilitation – Address intra-regional trade disparity by reducing nontariff barriers, balancing trade with partners, and exploring Free Trade Agreement upgrade;
• Connectivity and Supply Chain – Crucial role of connectivity in supporting an integrated ASEAN community building process and transforming from a land-locked to a landlinked country and connectivity hub.

As the ASEAN-BAC 2024 Chairman, Lao PDR plans to implement as its Legacy Project the ASEAN Plus Supply Chain Connectivity, which aims to address the connectivity agenda by:

• Promoting development along ASEAN logistic corridors;
• Reaching new markets by mapping and enhancing new connectivity and supply chain integration;
• Integrating and consolidating the objectives and work-activities of other ASEAN-BAC Legacy Projects.