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Europe opens CCI to boost trade with Laos
The European Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCIL) officially opened in Vientiane on Friday to expand trade and investment links in Laos.
The ECCIL, which is the only representation for European enterprises in Laos, represents and offers services for European businesses operating in Laos.
The Chamber has full-time personnel who will provide a full range of services to members and non-members, and will strengthen the existing trade and investment agreements between the EU and Laos.
The Chamber is unique in Laos because it does not represent businesses from just one nation but from a large and diverse group of countries.
“I hope the ECCIL will serve as the first point of contact for every European business entering Laos and become the leading organisation for trade advocacy with regard to the Lao authorities,” said Ambassador David Lipman, Head of the EU delegation to Laos.
The Chamber will showcase its services at the EU-Asia Business Forum and the 9th ASEM summit in Laos in November 2012.
This will be an opportunity to identify issues of common interest to both the EU and Asian business communities, Mr Lipman added.
As of September 2011, the European Chamber of Commerce and Industry has about 60 members from a variety of industries with operations both inside and outside of Laos.
The ECCIL works closely with the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its affiliates to exchange information and provide mutual support in fields of common interest such as the organisation of delegation visits.
Future joint activities will include the publication of a business climate index and the organisation of the ASEM Business Forum.
German Ambassador to Laos Robert von Rimscha, French Ambassador Francois Senemaud, Ambassador David Lipman, the ECCIL Executive Committee, and representatives of the Lao Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the European and Lao business communities were present at the opening ceremony.
vientiane times
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