Guidelines on Corporate Governance for Listed Companies

The Lao Securities Commission Office and the Lao Securities Exchange have an obligation to maintain public confidence in the securities market. We recognize the urgent need for Lao companies to improve their competitiveness by bringing their corporate governance practices in line with regional and international standards. To help them achieve this goal, we have revamped laws and regulations, organized training programs and workshops, produced publications, and dispatched delegations to gather international experience in corporate governance. While these efforts have achieved positive results, the path of aligning with international corporate governance standards remains challenging in Lao PDR. Hence, we have worked with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank to develop the first “Guidelines on Corporate Governance for Listed Companies.” This partnership is kindly supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Government of Japan. The Guidelines offer guidance to listed companies on international best practices, but they have also been adjusted to the practical realities of the Lao capital market. We hope that Lao companies will make good use of the Guidelines to improve their governance practices. The ultimate goal is to promote investor confidence
and grow the Lao stock market, which will contribute to the sustainable development of the national economy.