2005 Programs and Events

Trade Seminars Move Lao Officials, Businesses Forward (Jan. 26, 2005)

Speakers at the trade seminars.

With Normal Trade Relations between the U.S. and Laos now a reality, the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy in Vientiane organized two half-day seminars on “Normal Trade Relations: Turning Opportunity Into Reality,” to help Laos understand the benefits of NTR for Laos better. The first seminar, for about 100 Lao officials, focused on what the Bilateral Trade Agreement between the two countries requires of Laos—changes such as equal treatment of foreign firms, better protection of IPR, more transparent approval process for foreign investment, etc.; the second seminar, for about 95 Lao business people, provided information that will help Lao businesses understand how to sell their products in the United States.

Speakers at the seminars included: Ambassador Patricia Haslach, who spoke about the benefits of Normal Trade Relations; Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for SE Asia Elena Bryan, who spoke on Lao Obligations Under Normal Trade Relations; U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Patent Attorney Jennifer Ness, who spoke on the importance of protection of IPR; U.S. Embassy Economics Officer Scott Rolston, who spoke on Lao Opportunities Under Normal Trade Relations; U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Officer from Bangkok Scott Shaw, who gave a presentation on Forming Partnerships With American Businesses; and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer from Bangkok Orasa Raktabutr, who spoke on Exporting to the United States.