Investment opportunities in The Savan-SENO Special Economic Zone (SaSEZ), Part of the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC).

SaSEZ is located in Savannakhet Province, Seno District, Lao PDR where is/has:

• Designated as "The land of gold";
  
• Area of 21,774 square kilometers;
  
• Population of 824,662;
  
• Located at the heart of the country as well as the EWEC;
  
• The largest province in Laos;
  
• The second developed province in the country.
  

SaSEZ pursues to the National Social and Economic Development Plans, Laos shall eradicate poverty and graduate from the list of the least developed countries by the year 2012 and 2020 respectively.
SaSEZ pursues to achieve the goals, economy must be grown at least 8% a year. Therefore, the main focus is on investment in production and provision of business friendly environments by Public and Private Sectors: based infrastructure, public utilities etc.
Currently SaSEZ consists of 4 sites:

Main objectives of the SaSEZ establishment:

1. To develop the Zone as a Hub for Trade, Investment, and Services of the region by utilizing a strategic location in encouraging investments;
   
2. To develop as a foundation for industrialization and modernization of Lao PDR;
   
3. To transfer capital, technology, and know-how;
   
4. To create jobs and generate income for localities.
   

Development alternatives:

1. Jointly develop by Savan-SENO Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA) and developer for developing, managing and operating;
   
2. Develop and operate by concessionaire;
   
3. Solely develop and operate by SEZA with loan from International Financial Institutions (ADB, JBIC, WB etc.).
   

Promoted Business Sectors: 1./ Export Oriented Processing: textile and food production, ore and wood based production. 2./ Services: tourism banking and insurance, logistics and distribution. 3./ Trading: duty free, re-export and wholesales.

Why invest in SaSEZ?

1. Strategic geographical location;
   
2. Rich natural resources and cultures;
   
3. Tax incentives;
   
4. Autonomous licensing system;
   
5. Special privileges on export (GSP from 42 countries and NTR by USA);
   
6. Low trainable lobor cost.
   

Tax incentives:

1. Tax holiday: 2-10 years starting from profit making year;
   
2. Corporate profit tax: 8-10%;
   
3. Personal income tax: 5% for both local and foreigners;
   
4. Dividend tax: 5% for companies with at least two shareholders (this shall be applied after the tax holiday ended).
   

Exemption and 1% import duty:

1. Taxes and duties exemption on exports;
   
2. Taxes and duties exemption on import raw materials, construction materials and equipment to be used for processing;
   
3. 1% import duty on vehicles used for admin purposes.
   

Attractive land lease:

1. Land leasing period: maximum 75 years and can be extended;
   
2. Land lease discount: if land lease exceeds 30 years, payment will be exempted by 12 years.
   

Permanent residence and entry visa:

1. Foreign investors (with spouse and children under 21) having registered capital at least US$ 100,000 will be provided with a foreigner ID card, work permit and multiple entry visa for a period of at least 1 year;
   
2. Foreign investors with registered capital exceeding US$ 10 million will be provided with permanent resident ID card or multiple entry visa for more than 1 year or Lao passport.
   

Special thanks and credit to: >> Savan-SENO Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA) <<