THE Lao Securities Exchange (LSX) and its roster of seven listed companies are benefiting from the inflows of Asian capital and collaboration with companies from Thailand, China, Singapore and Hong Kong.

As part of an ambitious strategic plan, the LSX is wooing several new Laotian companies to stage their initial public offerings.

This month witnessed two IPOs. First, Lao Agrotech Co (LAT), a subsidiary of Thailand-based palm oil trader, OPG Tech Co, intends to use the proceeds to expand its business. LAT already has a plantation of 1,600 hectares in Laos, producing 30,000 litres of biodiesel a day. OPG holds an 85 per cent stake in LAT, with a local Laotian partner owning the remainder. After the IPO the existing shareholders will reduce their stake to 80 per cent.