Dear Delegates,

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR is honored to be the host of the ASEAN Rubber Conference 2009 (ARC 2009) to be held in Vientiane. We believe this gathering of industry experts and regulators is timely under the present global economic situation, for us to actively discuss current developments, trends and prospects of the natural rubber industry, and ensure its progress well into the coming years.

The fact that this is the first major rubber conference to be held in Lao PDR clearly demonstrates the industry’s increasing importance for the country, and shows that NextVIEW Group’s decision for bringing this high profile international conference to Lao PDR has undoubtedly been strategic.

Lao PDR has been experiencing a rubber planting boom in the last few years supported by market demand for latex and investors interest from our neighboring countries. Amidst this rapid increase in rubber planting, the government strives to ensure that the current interest can be best channeled to maximize potential returns to the national economy and as well as ensure socially and economically just smallholders’ rubber production.

Indisputably, the magnitude of ARC 2009 will augur well for our own as well as the global rubber industry as key aspects of the industry will be discussed. In particular, it will have a strong impact on the local rubber fraternity and policy makers who are championing the noble cause of the rubber industry as a main source of livelihood for our rural population and generate income for all related stakeholders.

Lao PDR is aiming to expand its rubber cultivated area to 180,000 hectares by 2010. Through this expansion policy, income will be generated through the export of rubber, and of more significance, it is expected to create jobs for plantation workers, tappers, processors and rubber dealers. This policy will also enhance Laos’ various resettlement strategies and rapidly alleviate poverty among the rural communities. Through the rubber industry, it is hoped that further foreign direct investment will flow into Laos.

Lao PDR is an ideal destination for upstream and downstream business investments for all global rubber industry players. There are many attractive incentives to encourage foreign parties to invest in rubber cultivation in Lao PDR and to take advantage of the many opportunities available, and we will map it out for you at ARC 2009.

I am confident that ARC 2009 will be an outstanding event, which will enrich you professionally, socially and culturally. On this occasion, you and your colleagues will have the opportunity to discover Lao PDR, a fascinating country deep in Indochina.

We at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are proud to take on the responsibility and commitment of co-hosting this important event and are looking forward to your participation in ARC 2009 and to welcoming you to Vientiane.

H.E. Sitaheng Rasphone
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
Lao PDR