Making Circular Economy Work: An Opportunity for Lao Businesses

WHEN:  7 August 2026     I    TIME:  8:30 - 16:00 (Vientiane Time)   I  Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Vientiane, Laos 

Participation in this event is limited to SMEs operating in Laos. To register your interest, please contact [email protected]

Background

The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and the ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance (ACEBA) have agreed to partner in promoting the circular economy in Lao PDR, supporting business development and the sustainable use of materials and other natural resources.

The partnership will be launched on Friday, 7 August 2026, followed by a business forum to share and reflect on business experiences and introductory training on the application of circular economy principles, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Southeast Asia has committed to transition to the Circular Economy to support resilient economy, sustainable growth, and resource efficiency, through the regional 2021 ASEAN Circular Economy Framework. This is complemented by national policy and action plans in most ASEAN Member States. Lao PDR has started the development of its Circular Economy Action Plan.

Leading businesses and other organisations in Lao PDR and elsewhere in the region have started to benefit from the adoption of Circular Economy practices in sectors as diverse as hospitality, building materials, agri-food, textiles and recycling and resource recovery.

The ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance (ACEBA) has been launched in 2024 with the support of the EU SWITCH Asia Policy Support Component to further facilitate business leadership and action on Circular Economy in support of stated national and regional policy objectives. ACEBA engages businesses through advocacy, knowledge and experience sharing, provision of actionable tools and insights and networking. The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCII) is taking the lead to introduce ACEBA to business and other stakeholders in Lao PDR.

Objectives

LNCCCI and ACEBA will formally launch their partnership and collaboration with a three-part agenda on Friday 7 August 2026.

1. The ACEBA LNCCI Circular Economy Partnership launch (09:00 – 10:30) will cover the formal launch for the partnership through the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between LNCCI and ARAIBA Sdn Bhd (as the organisational anchor of ACEBA), in the presence of the EU Delegation to Laos.
2. The Circular Economy Business Forum (10:30 – 12:00) will introduce Circular Economy as a responsible business and innovation opportunity for business to perform well while doing good for environment and society. This will include experience sharing with Lao businesses and stakeholder reflections from business and government.
3. The Circular Business Starter Training for Small and Medium Enterprises (13:15 – 16:15) will offer practical training based on ACEBA’s business tools, in particular its implementation guide (Unlocking the circularity opportunity) and the Circular Business Check.

Agenda