European Chamber of Commerce Reception welcomes visit of UK Trade Envoy
The last event of Lord David Puttnam's visit to Laos highlighted the country's links to UK trade and investment.
Lord David Puttnam speaking during the ECCIL Reception
To celebrate Lord David Puttnam’s official visit to Laos and showcase the strengths of the UK as a trade and investment partner, ECCIL organised a reception on Monday evening – the final engagement in a busy 2 day programme.
Around 80 guests from the business world of Lao PDR were represented. ECCIL President Guy Apovy opened the event and introduced the guest of honour. Lord Puttnam gave his keynote speech on British excellence and the European Union as a funding partner.
Lord Puttnam with ECCIL Vice President Paul Simcock and Deputy Head of Mission Alex Needham during the ECCIL Reception
Lord Puttnam said:
I cannot think of a better place to invest than the development of Laos.
British investors in Laos currently include Imperial Tobacco (a joint venture with Lao Tobacco), Standard Chartered Bank, KPMG, Tate and Lyle and brands such as Land Rover and JCB represented by RMA Group.
Following the re-establishment of the British Embassy earlier this year, the UK wants to encourage more British investors to come to Laos, and vice versa.
Lord David Puttnam with Ambassador Malone and his wife during the ECCIL Reception