Abstract
The purpose of this study is to review the laws on foreign investment and the changed licensing procedures in Laos and to provide the data for basic understanding of foreign forestation investment in Laos. The conclusions are as follows. The Laos government has been consistently trying to promote foreign investment. In particular, in 2004, the "Law on the Promotion of Foreign Investment" was legislated. In 2009, the Foreign Investment Promotion Act and the Domestic Investment Promotion Act to incorporate the principles of the "Law on Investment Promotion" were enacted. In Laos, the country's land is owned by the nation's community and maintained by the government. Therefore, through the procedures for registration of land, land can be conceded or leased. The ways to invest are joint ventures (where at least 10% of the total capital investment has to be made), foreign sole investment (where the investor must have a minimum capital of $100,000 or more), joint venture agreement and etc. Lastly, the forestation licensing procedures in Laos are carried out in the following order: site selection, business investments feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessment, forestry permit application.
