Official Lao Business Portals

A plain guide to which official website answers which question when you do business in Laos.

QUICK ANSWER

The main official portals for business in Laos are the National Enterprise Database (registration and company search), the Inventory of Business Licenses (operating licenses), the Lao Trade Portal (tariffs and import-export measures), the Lao National Single Window (customs procedures) and InvestLaos (investment promotion and one-stop service). No single website covers everything, so the right portal depends on your question.

Which Portal to Use

Portal	Use it for	Run by
National Enterprise Database	Registration procedures, fees, LSIC codes, statistics, notices	Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC)
MOIC enterprise search	Searching registered enterprises	MOIC
Inventory of Business Licenses	Licenses, permits and certificates: documents, fees, timing	MOIC Department of Enterprise Registration and Management
Lao Trade Portal	Tariffs, import and export measures, trade forms	MOIC
Lao National Single Window	Electronic customs and trade formalities	Government of Lao PDR
InvestLaos	Investment promotion, investment licenses, one-stop service	Investment Promotion Department
Foreign Trade Policy portal	Foreign trade policy	MOIC

Common Questions, Right Portal

Your question	Start here
How do I register a company, and what does it cost?	Our fee guide, then NED
Is this company real?	Verify a company
What license does my business need?	License directory
What duty applies to my product?	Lao Trade Portal
Is my activity controlled?	Controlled business guide, then InvestLaos

Using Portals Safely

Check the “last updated” information, because older records may not reflect current rules.
Compare English and Lao versions. We found the Lao and English NED pages can differ.
Enter details only on official .gov.la sites or sites that official portals link to.
For a decision with real money at stake, confirm with the responsible authority in writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official website for company registration in Laos?

The National Enterprise Database, run by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, at ned.moic.gov.la.

Where do I find business license requirements in Laos?

The Inventory of Business Licenses at bned.moic.gov.la lists formalities by sector and authority.

Where do I get investment license information?

InvestLaos, run by the Investment Promotion Department, covers investment promotion and the one-stop service.

Are the English pages up to date?

Not always. For example, the English NED page cites a 10-working-day registration period, while the Lao page publishes a one-hour check and issue within 3 working days of the slip.