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Under the 8th NSEDP, Lao PDR's energy policy is focussed on hydropower development, thermal electric power, solar energy and industrial plant energy to turn the power sector into a sustainable income-generating sector to support various production activities and to address poverty issues. Its objective for a strategy and development plan for energy in the context of Vision 2030 includes: developing energy and ensuring its sustainability; helping build capacity; and enhancing electricity supply for the development of energy and mines in order to increase greener energy.

Controlled Business List, 2019
No. ISIC Business activities Investment conditions Management level Relevant legislation Responsible ministries
Central Provincial
Recycling (reproducing all types of waste: electronic waste, Refer to regulations of relevant sectors Relevant laws and regulations
electronic devices, old batteries, plastic, and others)

The Decree on the Approval of the Controlled Business List and Concession Businesses of Lao PDR No. 03/PM, 10 January 2019 sets the current framework of these businesses. It consolidates specific rules for businesses that affect national security, social customs and traditions, the environment, society, and nature. (...)

The MOST also issues regulations on mandatory certification marks for products related to public security, safety, hygiene, health, and the environment and goods that are on the sensitive List, in coordination with the concerned agencies and parties and the NSC. (...)

SEZs
SEZ Year established Investment Incentives Focus sectors
Saysettha 2010 Industrial zone Based on the Agreement of the Saysetha 1. Agro-processing zone (producing foods, organic
Development Development Zone, on 11 July 2012. produce and animal feed)2. Timber processing
Zone Decree No. 177/PM 2003 3. Manufacturing – machinery, electronic appliances
4. Green energy 5. Textile and garment factories
6. Logistics 7. Residential zone (leisure area, staff
accommodation, commercial, cultural, educational and health facilities)

(…) Under the Forestry law (see below) forests are classified into three categories: protection forests; conservation forests; and production forests. [75] (...) There are 139 protected forests, covering 7.99 million ha, of which: 49 are national protected areas (7.48 million ha); 5 are provincial protected areas (141,633 ha); and 85 are district protected areas (366,838 ha). In addition, there are 176 conservation areas, covering 4.89 million ha, of which: 24 are national conservation areas (3.77 million ha); 59 are provincial conservation areas (626,499 ha); and 93 are district conservation areas (420,678 ha).
[75] They include all forest types: dense forests, degraded forests, cleared forest land and village use forests. Forestry Law No. 06/NA, 24 December 2007. Viewed at: https://www.laotradeportal.net/index.php?r=site/display&id=68.

(…) Capital-intensive growth based on mining and hydropower investments was accompanied by rising inequality and environmental degradation.[5] (…) The authorities are cognizant of these risk and are addressing them.
[5] IMF, Country Report No. 18/84.

Lao PDR's commitments under the GATS remained unchanged during the review period. Its Schedule of Specific Commitments covers 79 subsectors in certain business services, communication services, construction and related engineering services, distribution services, educational services, environmental services (...)

Lao PDR also operates automatic and non-automatic licensing for exports. For goods subject to export licensing, Decree No. 114/GoL on Export and Import of Goods provides the legal basis for such controls. Specific goods subject to export licensing are stipulated in Notification No. 0076/MOIC.DIMEX on the List of Goods subject to Automatic and Non-automatic Import-Export Licensing, of 2012 (Table 3.10). Automatic export licensing is in place for statistical reasons, while non-automatic licensing is in place for public safety and national security reasons, environmental protection, and exchange rate stability. (...)

(...) Lao PDR is an electricity exporter (26.2% of total exports in 2017) but is fully dependent on rising hydrocarbon imports. Despite the country's potential of alternative renewable energy sources and the existence of relevant policies, their utilization is rather low, except for the widely-used large hydro projects. (...)