VientianeVientiane Times Times 21 Read more news at www.vientianetimes.org.laBusiness Friday May 27, 2011 Trade agreement Share market key to Inflation leaves smoothes the way for raising development NSIDE diners with bad silk exports funds: LSX official I taste PAGE B2 PAGE B3 Exciting future for IPOs in Laos Lao Securities Exchange Commission and Lao stock exchange officials last week joined DFDL Mekong Legal and Tax Advisers (DFDL Mekong) at a foreign investors’ conference in Singapore. DFDL Mekong hosted the first ever conference on the Lao Stock Exchange with the title of “The New Stock Exchanges in Laos and Cambodia: Foreign Investors Conference” on May 20. DFDL Mekong is the region’s preeminent international law firm specialising in emerging markets. Country Managing Director for DFDL Mekong Lao PDR William D. Greenlee, Jr, and Senior Tax Manager for DFDL Mekong Lao PDR Jack Sheehan presented a thorough outlook on the Lao Stock Exchange (LSX), along with fellow panelists from the Lao Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the LSX. According to a press release from DFDL Mekong, discussion topics included how to structure IPOs and investment in Laos. On the agenda were key legal, tax and accounting issues and international holding A panel discussion highlights the exciting outlook for the Lao Stock Exchange. structures considered to be the most efficient for Lao investors. international investors were able conference. Mekong in presenting the “There is an exciting future for to also ask the securities regulators More than 150 people attended conference were ANZ Royal, CBRE, IPOs in Laos,” Mr Greenlee said. questions and gain confidence in the the foreign investors’ conference VinaCapital, Victory Capital and The conference was an ideal LSX. including principals from high Stephenson Harwood. Supporting forum to educate and get prospective This was further encouraged by profile investment firms, Temasek, DFDL Mekong in presenting international investors excited about Acting Secretary General of the SEC Dragon Capital Group Limited, the conference were SEC, LSX, Laos and the promising companies Ms Vatthana Dalaloy and Chairman Lucky Market Group Ltd., Morgan Singapore Business Federation and that have listed, and will soon list, & CEO of the LSX Mr Dethphouvang Stanley Global Capital Markets, International Enterprise Singapore. on the Lao Stock Exchange. Moularat participating in a panel Pinetree Capital Partners Pte Ltd and Established in 1994, DFDL Because 12 members of the SEC discussion. Mr Dethphouvang also Royal Group Cambodia. Mekong is the first leading and LSX attended the conference, presented the keynote address at the In partnership with DFDL international law firm specialised in emerging markets with a pan regional tax and legal expertise ANNOUNCEMENT developed throughout the Mekong region (Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vientiane Times would like to inform readers, businesses, companies and organisations that our new business Myanmar, Vietnam) and Singapore. With a team of more than 250 section on “Social Business Scene Page” is available for your black and white or colour photos. foreign and local lawyers, advisers Interested persons can send us photos and details relating to activities such as celebrations, donations, parties and support staff working closely etc. For more information contact: Vientiane Times Marketing Department together within a network of nine offices in the region, DFDL Mekong Pangkham Road, Vientiane, Lao PDR provides personalised and cost- Tel: (856 21) 217872 Fax: 856 21 216365 effective legal, tax and consulting Mr Dethphouvang Moularat delivers services. the keynote address. Exchange rates as of May 26, 2011 FUEL PRICES Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao Location Regular Diesel Foreign Currencies Buying Selling Vientiane 10,840 9,800 Khammuan 10,880 9,850 US Dollar 8,012 8,051 Savannakhet 10,900 9,850 Thai Baht 264.02 265.35 Champassak 10,880 9,860 Bokeo 10,980 9,930 Euro 11,325 11,381 Xieng Khuang 11,110 10,120.