Ministry of Industry and Commerce Issued a New Instruction to Facilitate E-Commerce Businesses in Lao PDR

Vientiane, 28 June 2023 – The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) has taken a significant step towards advancing e-commerce practices in Laos with the issuance of a new Instruction to support the implementation of the Decree on E-Commerce. A one-day dissemination workshop, co-organized by the Permanent Secretary Office and the Department of Internal Trade, was held on 28 June 2023 at the Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane.

Chaired by Mr. Phouvieng Phongsa, the Director General of the Department of Internal Trade, the workshop brought together over 60 participants from both the public and private sectors, including traders and prominent platform operators. The event served as a platform to highlight the progress made in the implementation of the E-Commerce Decree no.296/Gov, dated 12 May 2021 and provided insights into the new Instruction.

The objective of the workshop was to widely publicize the recent advancements in the implementation of the E-Commerce Decree through the introduction of Instruction no. 0479/MOIC, dated 5 May 2023. This instruction also aims at promoting Lao products through e-commerce platforms in international markets, enhancing opportunities for businesses to expand their reach globally.

During his remarks, Mr. Phouvieng Phongsa highlighted the growing prevalence of e-commerce in the country, which has increasingly replaced traditional face-to-face interactions between buyers and sellers. He emphasized that this new Instruction would contribute to the realization of the National Digital Economy Master Plan by creating an enabling environment for e-commerce activities.

Notably, the instruction outlines that platform operators will be required to apply for business operating licenses, while platform users or sellers will only need to submit a notification to the Department of Internal Trade. This streamlined approach aims to attract and facilitate the participation of businesses in e-commerce while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. By reducing administrative burdens, this instruction aligns with the Prime Minister’s Order no. 03, which aims to enhance the business environment in Lao PDR.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce remains committed to fostering an environment conducive to e-commerce growth and promoting the digital economy in Laos. The introduction of this new Instruction signifies a significant milestone in supporting the implementation of the E-Commerce Decree and facilitating the expansion of Lao businesses into international markets.

This dissemination workshop was supported by the Lao PDR Competitiveness and Trade project (LCTP), which is implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, with technical and financial support from the World Bank and additional financial contributions from Australia, Ireland, and the United States. The project aims to eliminate barriers to private sector-led growth by improving the regulatory environment, lowering trade costs and raising firm-level competitiveness.

For more information, please contact:
Legislation Division, Permanent Secretary Office, Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Email: legisdivision.moic@gmail.com , Phone Number: +856-21 412014