Asian Trade Promotion Forum CEO Meeting in Vientiane, Laos

November 2018

On November 20 and 21, the Asian Trade Promotion Form (ATPF) CEO Meeting was held in Vientiane, Laos. The meeting was joined by 39 people from 19 countries and regions, and JETRO President Yasushi Akahoshi served as co-chair along with Acting Director General Xaysomphet Norasingh of the Department of Trade Promotion (DTP) of Laos.

A plenary session was held under the theme of "Trade and Sustainable Economy Development (SDGs)." In his keynote speech, Acting Director General Norasingh emphasized his organization’s intention to promote open trade by focusing on the following three pillars with the aim of contributing to SDGs:

This was followed by an explanation by JETRO President Akahoshi on the necessity of promoting SDGs by trade promotion organizations (TPOs), JETRO's activities and ways for collaboration to take shape between TPOs.

During the breakout session, participant TPOs were divided into three discussion groups under the themes of "Export Promotion in the Food and Agriculture Processing Sector," "Innovation and Startups" and "E-Commerce." The narrowed-down themes and small size of the groups allowed for truly animated discussions. At the Top Leaders Meeting for CEOs or their proxies, opinions were also exchanged on issues and efforts related to management.

In the evening, a networking reception was held and joined by approximately 100 people, including officials of the Laos Ministry of Industry and Commerce and other ministries as well as business people, to allow them to get acquainted with the ATPF members. Remarks were also given by the representative from the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), which will be the host of next year’s ATPF CEO Meeting.

On the following day, participants took part in a tour of local industries and sites in the city of Vientiane. At the Phaeng Mai Gallery, their first stop, they learned about the process of creating Laotian handicrafts such as woven and dyed cloth. Participants watched with interest as fine works formed before their eyes from single thin threads. At the two renowned Buddhist temples they next visited, Wat Si Saket and Wat Haw Pha Kaew, many other tourists from overseas were seen, allowing members to catch a glimpse of Laos as a sightseeing destination.

The Asian Trade Promotion Forum was established in 1987 at the advocacy of JETRO. Its aim is for Asian TPOs to effectively implement activities in each member country through the free exchange of ideas. There are currently 23 members, and a Working-Level Meeting and CEO Meeting are each held once a year.