● Lao-owned · Vientiane · 15 years in the Lao market
BUSINESS IN LAOS
How to Verify a Company in Laos
A practical due diligence checklist using official Lao registers, and what those registers cannot tell you.
QUICK ANSWER
To verify a company in Laos, search its name or number in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce enterprise search, then check the National Enterprise Database notices for suspension, dissolution, capital reduction or merger. Next, confirm any sector license with its issuing authority. A register entry shows that a business is registered. It does not prove its tax standing, its authority to sign, or that it holds the licenses it needs.
Five Official Checks
Work through these in order, and keep a dated copy of what you find.
01Search the enterprise register
Start with the MOIC public search, which NED labels as its new search. NED also keeps an older search.
02Check location
Use the NED map search to see whether the address looks consistent.
03Review published notices
NED publishes notices on permanent dissolution, temporary suspension, capital reduction, mergers, liquidators and completed liquidation.
04Confirm the license
Use the license directory to identify the authority, then ask that authority to confirm the license.
05Compare documents
Check the name, number, directors and activities against the certificate the company gives you.
What Each Source Tells You
| Source | Useful for | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise search | Whether a business is registered, and its basic details | NED warns some district data may not be up to date |
| Notices | Suspension, dissolution, capital and merger events | Absence from a list is not proof of good standing |
| Sector authority | Whether a license is valid | You usually need to ask the authority directly |
| Tax office or company tax records | Tax standing | Not shown in the enterprise search |
| Court registry | Certified share transfers and related documents | May need the company’s cooperation |
When to Go Further
A public-record check is the right first step for a small transaction. For an acquisition, a joint venture or a large contract, also review the charter, shareholder records, tax filings, licenses, contracts and any disputes. AQQOUNT’s corporate health check covers compliance and governance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check whether a company is registered in Laos?
Use the MOIC public enterprise search linked from the National Enterprise Database website, or the older NED search. Confirm the details against the company’s registration certificate.
Is the Lao company register free to search?
The National Enterprise Database offers public search tools on its website. If a portal asks you to log in or pay, follow its current terms.
Can I see whether a Lao company was suspended?
NED publishes temporary suspension notices. Check the list, but also ask the company and its tax office, since the list may not capture every case.
Does registration mean a company is licensed?
No. Registration creates the legal entity. A regulated activity may also need a separate operating license from the relevant authority.
Related Guides
Need a Proper Due Diligence Check?
AQQOUNT can review a Lao counterparty’s registration, licenses and compliance records.