On 7 August 2026, the ASEAN Circular Economy Business Alliance (ACEBA) and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) agreed to collaborate on promoting and supporting the circular economy in the Lao business sector. LNCCI will serve as the Country Lead for ACEBA - the business-led, ASEAN-centric initiative that promotes business leadership and action on the circular economy in support of the 2021 ASEAN Circular Economy Framework and national strategies and action plans, including the Circular Economy Action Plan currently under development by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
On this occasion, FL Green Mekong Co and Tai Baan Craft became the inaugural Laotian ACEBA participants, committing to lead by example in advancing the circular economy in their communications and advocacy, and through their products and business activities. The Launch Ceremony was witnessed by Ms Helen Conefrey, representing the European Union Delegation to Lao PDR, in recognition of the EU’s support to ACEBA through its EU SWITCH-Asia Programme.
Mr Vanthong Sitthikoun, Vice President of LNCCI, welcomed the partnership, noting that the circular economy is equally a business opportunity as well as a pathway for sustainable development, and is now strongly embedded in the National Social Economic Development Plan 2026-2030. Ms Helen Conefrey highlighted that the circular economy entails designing out waste, keeping products in use, recovering materials from end-of-life products, and adopting business models that enable repair, refurbishment and remanufacturing.
Mr Thomas Thomas, co-convenor of ACEBA, introduced the Alliance, and highlighted that since the start of its preparations in 2023, ACEBA has been able to document and learn from 90+ circular economy business cases, including eight from Laos, and has created a foundation for regionally- and locally-appropriate circular economy approaches. Dr Rene Van Berkel, co-convenor of ACEBA, further positioned the circular economy as a responsible business and innovation practice driven by circular, efficient and extended use of materials and other resources, and making the best use of the available renewable materials and energy.
The partnership launch was followed by a Business and Industry Forum during which three local businesses shared their experiences and insights on circular business. Re-Craft collects fabric waste from tailor shops and repurposes it into bags and other textile products using a network of community seamstresses. Lao Chaleun Recycling Co. operates materials recovery facilities in five provinces, and recovers recyclable materials as well as refuse-derived fuel for industrial use. Tai Baan Craft, a fair-trade enterprise specialised in developing and marketing textile handicrafts, is revitalising nature-based craft techniques.
Mr Nakhalin Vorasan, representing the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, welcomed the business initiatives on the circular economy, and noted that the Government is developing its Circular Economy Action Plan to mainstream and accelerate circularity in the country. Mr Viboon Sithimolada, LNCCI executive board member, stressed the economic and job creation opportunities associated with the adoption of circular solutions. Mr Stefano Pighin, Executive Director of the European Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Lao PDR, reported on its various initiatives to promote and scale up sustainability actions, including through its annual Responsible Business Awards.
The partnership launch concluded with a half-day circular business starter training, based on the operational tools and frameworks curated by the ACEBA.
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