On March 13, 2025, the Royal Thai Embassy, Vientiane, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Finance, and the Bank of the Lao PDR, co-hosted an economic seminar to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Lao PDR. The seminar, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Vientiane, focused on the topic, “The Importance of Micro Credit and Microfinance for SMEs.”

 

The discussion was divided into two parts: (1) Sharing perspectives and insights from relevant agencies. (2) Sharing experiences and beneficial promotional approaches from expert speakers and representatives from various sectors, including:(A) The Office of MSMEs, Ministry of Industry and Commerce (B) Tax Department, Ministry of Finance (C) Commercial Bank Protection Department, Bank of the Lao PDR (D) The MSMEs Association of the Lao PDR (E) SME Development Bank of Thailand (F) Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) from Thailand This economic seminar was the first of four seminars to be held throughout 2025 in the Lao PDR as part of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Lao PDR. The event received a positive response, with more than 200 participants from relevant public and private sectors of both Thailand and the Lao PDR.