Southeast Asia
Laos
Singapore's diplomatic relationships and recent highlights with Laos.
Overview
Singapore and Laos celebrated the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2019. We cooperate at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. Economic ties and Singapore’s investments into Laos have increased over time. We also work closely through the Singapore Cooperation Programme. Singapore established the Lao-Singapore Training Centre in Vientiane in 2001 under the Initiative for ASEAN Integration to administer in-country training for Lao officials. To boost economic integration and the adoption of technology in the region, the Lao-Singapore Training Centre was upgraded to a Singapore Cooperation Centre in 2019.
Recent highlights
2019
Then‑Senior Minister of State (Defence) (Foreign Affairs) Dr Maliki Osman visited Laos in June.
2018
Lao President Bounnhang Vorachith made a State Visit to Singapore in May at the invitation of President Halimah Yacob, who hosted a State Banquet in his honour. His Excellency also met Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed during this State Visit – the MOU on Cooperation on Education and the MOU on Technical Cooperation in the Protection of Environmental and Water Matters.