Export potential for Laotian products 

There is considerable potential for the export of Laotian goods to Thailand, just as the reverse is true, Hasadin Suwatanapongched, chairman of the Nakhon Ratchasima Chamber of Commerce, told Vientiane Times recently while attending the opening ceremony of a Thai restaurant in Laos. 
Agricultural products such as coffee and handicrafts like jewellery are well recognised by Thai consumers, he said.
For example, if Laotian producers want to sell their goods in Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province, they should produce items that are different from what is already available there. In the meantime, they should improve product packaging and labelling so that Thai people can read it.
If Laotian producers consider this issue and improve things, their goods could not only be exported to Thailand but also to Malaysia, Singapore and other countries, Hasadin said. 
Laos has a sizeable workforce in the agriculture and handicraft sectors so, the government should consider ways to achieve this potential, he added. 
The government should encourage people to produce a large amount of goods for export and consider different types of products in order to fill different market niches. 
If workers have employment within their own country, they will not try to seek jobs abroad, Hasadin added. 
Decreasing trade barriers are leading to an increased amount of trade and investment among Asean countries. 
Trade between Laos and Thailand has been established over time and is continuing to grow. 
According to the Import and Export Department of the Laotian Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the value of two-way trade between the two countries is expected to exceed US$4 billion (Bt140 billion) this year. The value of exports from Laos to Thailand should be $1.7 billion while import value should reach $2.3 billion.