30/11/2025
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30/11/2025
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H.E. Boun Inthabandith, Ambassador of Laos to State of Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 30: Lao government and people will celebrate its 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
December 2, 1975, remains a proud and historic milestone for the Lao people, a day when our nation achieved full independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity after many decades of struggle for self-determination and freedom. Under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the Lao people of all ethnicities gained true ownership of their nation and began a new chapter in building peace, unity, and prosperity.
The past 50 years, under the Party’s steadfast and visionary leadership, Laos has achieved remarkable progress in all fields. The country has undergone profound transformation politically, economically, and socially while maintaining stability, unity, and independence.
Laos is a landlocked country, located at the Southeast Asia which plenty of the forest and mountain with the total area 236,800 Km2; Lao population is around 7.5 million with 49 ethnicities consisting of over 160 ethnic groups. it's surrounded by Five countries: China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Therefore, we have a policy to move our nation from a Land-locked into a Land-linked country to develop the economy and Social. Presently, the Express railway has been finished construction and has been using for transportation. Next few years, it will be connected to Thailand and Vietnam as well which will be changing Laos into a Logistic hub in the region. Furthermore, Laos is an agriculture-based and also has fertile soil for crop especially rice, flour etc...and livestock business which would be one of a good option for Kuwait and other nations to investment in Laos.
Over the past five decades have been a journey of perseverance and collective strength. The Lao PDR has consistently upheld its Comprehensive Transformation Policy, focusing on economic modernization, social equity, and sustainable development. Political stability and national security have been maintained, ensuring social safety and internal unity across the country. The Lao PDR has met criteria for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2018, 2021 and 2024, and is currently in the transition phase towards official graduation by 2026. Economic growth averaged approximately 5% per year, which is below the initial target of 7.5%. However, GDP per capita is projected to reach USD 2,200 by 2025, up from USD 1,700 in 2015, an increase of roughly 30%.
Lao PDR has successfully upgraded and developed several key infrastructure systems, including national highways, expressways, railways, dry ports, and other facilities. These improvements have enhanced the country’s connectivity with regional and global markets and contributed to economic expansion. Notably, the Laos–China Railway has become a vital symbol of regional connectivity and prosperity, facilitating the transport of over 30 million tons of freight and enabling more than 260 million passenger journeys between Laos and China. The ongoing expressway expansion and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Vientiane further demonstrate Laos’s commitment to modern, sustainable infrastructure development.
Rural development and poverty alleviation remain central to our national agenda. Thanks to consistent efforts, the national poverty rate is expected to decline to 15% by 2025, down from 23% in 2013, and all districts are now accessible by road and connected through telecommunications networks. Access to education, healthcare, and clean water has expanded nationwide, contributing to higher living standards and life expectancy.
Lao PDR prioritized the development of tourism infrastructure, services and activities across high-potential provinces. These efforts included upgrading tourist sites, improving service quality and promoting private sector engagement in tourism development. From 2022 to 2024, the country welcomed approximately 8,832,826 international tourist visits, equivalent to 58.8% of the five-year target of 15 million visits, and generated USD 2.64 billion in revenue, reaching 69% of the five-year target of USD 3.813 billion. In terms of spatial planning, 22 tourism zones were surveyed, designated, certified and demarcated, achieving 73.33% of the five-year target (30 zones), with projections to complete two additional zones by 2025.
There are many interesting places in each province of Laos from North to South. Laos has 3 UNESCO World heritage sites namely: the former royal capital Luang Prabang, Wat Phou Champasack Temple, and the Mysterious Pain of Jars in Xiengkhuang Province. These are the significant Archaeological, historical and natural values.
Additionally, Laos has so many cultural, historical, and natural tourist sites such as natural waterfalls, caves, mountains, and forests. The Lao government prioritizes green tourism and local community involvement. We also have many golf courses, rock climbing, trekking or just to spend a night or two in a local ethnic people houses to familiarize with the way of living of various ethnic groups.
Lao food is also distinct in the sense that we eat a lot of vegetables, spicy food and sticky rice that Kuwait people once taste it will want to have it again.
In foreign affairs, the Lao PDR has established diplomatic relations with 151 countries in the world; has ties with 146 political parties from 82 countries, cooperates with 3 international and regional organizations of political parties in the world, has 20 friendship associations with foreign countries and 1 Lao Peace and Solidarity Committee with Foreign Countries.
In today’s changing and uncertain world, the Lao PDR continues to follow a foreign policy based on peace, independence, friendship, and cooperation. Laos works to build good relations with all countries on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, and actively contributes to promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and beyond.
In this context, Laos highly values its warm and friendly relations with the State of Kuwait. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2008, the two countries have nurtured a close and cooperative partnership grounded in mutual trust and shared aspirations. The Lao Government and people deeply appreciate the continued friendship, development cooperation, and humanitarian assistance extended by the State of Kuwait through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and other channels.
We are confident that in the years ahead, our two countries will continue to strengthen collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, tourism, education, and human resource development for the mutual benefit of our peoples and in the spirit of cooperation.
The year 2025 carries special significance for Laos. It marks the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of the Lao PDR, the 70th Anniversary of Laos’s membership in the United Nations, and the final year of implementing the 9th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan. Moreover, it represents a decisive step toward our goal of graduating from the category of Least Developed Countries by 2026.
Laos continues to play an active and constructive role in regional and international affairs. The country reaffirms its strong commitment to promoting unity, resilience, and sustainable development within the ASEAN family and beyond. In this spirit, Laos also values the growing partnership between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and stands ready to work closely with member states to further enhance cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and people-to-people exchanges for mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
With continued support from friendly nations and international organizations, together with the dedication and self-reliant spirit of the Lao people, I am confident that we will successfully realize these national aspirations and advance toward a future of lasting peace, prosperity, and sustainability.
On this auspicious occasion, I wish to convey the Lao Government’s and people’s sincere appreciation to the Government and people of the State of Kuwait, as well as to all our friends around the world, for their continued support, goodwill, and cooperation with Laos. Your friendship remains an invaluable contribution to our journey of national development and integration.
As we look toward the future, may the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the State of Kuwait continue to flourish and bring prosperity to our two nations.
