President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties during a meeting Monday on the sidelines of the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
The leaders’ meeting at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center coincided with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Laos.
Both underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation across key sectors, including trade, defense, investment, and education.
“There is great potential for increased trade between our countries,” Mr. Marcos said, pointing to Laos’s rapid economic growth as a promising path for expanding bilateral engagement.
Trade between the two nations has nearly doubled in recent years, reaching approximately $13.72 million in 2024, up from around $7 million in 2019.
In addition to traditional areas of cooperation, President Marcos and Siphandone explored emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, digital technology, and clean energy.
They also identified agriculture, skills development, tourism, and infrastructure as future focal points for collaboration.
“We would like to strengthen all our relations—trade, defense, and security, and even the people-to-people exchange,” President Marcos added, proposing direct flights between Manila and Vientiane to bolster connectivity and tourism.
Siphandone expressed appreciation for the contributions of the Filipino community in Laos, which numbers over 2,000 and plays significant roles in education, research, and architecture.
He also thanked the Philippine government for providing language training and scholarships for Lao ministries, and encouraged further Filipino investment in sectors such as advanced technology research, clean agriculture, health services, and infrastructure.
Concluding the meeting, the Lao leader extended a formal invitation to President Marcos for an official state visit to Laos, signaling continued momentum in bilateral relations.