The Made in the UK, Sold to the Indo-Pacific Roadshow 2025 was a two-week series of events organized by the UK Government to help UK exporters tap into business opportunities across the Indo-Pacific region, including Laos.
The BBGL, represented by Board Member Wayne McIntosh, joined the roadshow at key locations to raise the profile of Laos and the commercial opportunities it offers.
Wednesday 12th March
Wayne attended the London finale of the Department for Business and Trade’s ‘Made in UK, exported to Indo Pacific’ roadshow. With a business focussed agenda, the common theme was GROWTH for UK Companies through the significant opportunity Indo – Pacific represents.
Wayne and fellow delegates had briefings from Gareth Thomas, the UK Minister for Service, Small Businesses and Exports, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia Harjinder Kan, the CEO of UK Export Finance Tim Reid and Deputy Trade Commissioner Rhiannon Harries.
Next, they heard first hand from UK Exporters, in particular CEO of Krysteline Technologies (Steve Whettingsteel), Executive Director of People 1st International (Jane Rexworthy), Managing Director of Limpsfield Combustion (Keith Knowles) and the Founder of Evolve Organic Beauty (Laura Rudoe).
This was followed by presentations and discussions on the Education and Skills Sector in the Indo Pacific, and enlightening presentations from the Private Infrastructure Development Group, the FCDO – British International Investment and UK Export Finance
The afternoon culminated with a presentation on South East Asia from the Chamber representatives from Laos, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambdodia, Myanmar and Vietnam. With regard to Laos, Wayne particularly highlighted:
- Lao is graduating from LDC level to next stage of development, in 2026.
- Lao Population was approx 7.6mn and the GDP per capita approx USD2000.
- Lao has a significant young population who are hungry for knowledge and skills training.
- Current forecast growth is 4.9%
- Politically stable, single party, Communist country with well planned succession.
- Public debt stands at 116% of GDP and the LAK is currently stable after a series of macro and micro finance initiatives to rein in the devaluation.
- In 2024, Trade from the UK was $38mn (up 85% on previous year) of which $20mn was goods. Imports from Laos to the UK was $19mn.
- Top exports are of gold bullion gold ore, paper, iron ore, potassium ash, cassava, rubber, pulp, paper waste and sugar. Others include coffee, camera lens and ladies apparel.
- Aspiring to be the battery of SE Asia, Laos exports power regionally and recently put in the Monsoon wind Farm at 600MW and is in the process of approving a further 1200MW.
- Infrastructure – completion of the Vientiane to Vang Vieng Expressway and the Vientiane to Kunming high speed railway for freight and passenger travel.
- Laos were the ASEAN Chair in 2024 which put Laos was very firmly in the ASEAN spotlight for investment and promotion.
- Lao is a smaller country with big opportunities. Once established, there is relatively a small amount of competition, so first adopter advantages.
- Key point to consider is local Lao knowledge and partners. BCCL can support with this important stage. Need to understand the culture and the business will follow.
- Laos Government offers Special Export Zones offering tax advantages and custom built business parks and has just approved a 30 year tax exemption opportunity for investors in the Amata Special Economic Zone.
Thursday 13th March
Wayne met with H.E Ambassador Douangmany Gnotsyoudomat the Lao Embassy located just off Hyde Park in Porchester Terrace. Discussions for on the dynamic economic situation in Laos and the focus of UK on growth through increased trade. Infrastructure, renewable energy, education and reciprocal imports to UK of Lao goods were the key areas of focus.
Friday 14th March
BiSEA – Britain in South East Asia Conference
The day started at the Old Admiralty Building, which is the new London Headquarters of the Department for International Trade (DIT), located in the heart of Whitehall on Horse Guards Parade. Some world-famous people have worked here, such as former Prime Minister Winston Churchill and James Bond creator Ian Fleming
A nice bonus to the morning was to be meeting in the Churchill Room, getting to see the original maps used in planning the DDay landings of WW2.
The members of BiSEA had the opportunity to review business across Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos PDR and Asia generally. Country specific opportunities were highlighted, along with key areas to collaborate on with Department of Trade to expand the UK’s commitment to growth.
Next was a meeting with UK-ASEAN Business Council’s (UKABC ) Ben Raby and Allen Lai, with a focus on collaboration to improve our joint efforts to boost Growth and Trade.
There then followed an excellent presentation from Jack Dainty, on the UK leading the switch from traditional Bills of Landing to digital documents and presented case studies, including Singapore (supported by BCC Singapore) highlighting cost and time savings. This was followed by a meeting with Matt Western, the UK Government Trade Envoy to Laos and Cambodia.
The BiSEA conference concluded with a vote of thanks to David Kelly and Ian Fox for their sterling stewardship and passing the co-Chair position to Jennifer Lopez from the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, for the coming year.