In the communist regime, the first stock exchange was opened in recent days and has garnered the support of the global market. Mineral resources and new investment opportunities will ensure the economy of the communist regime a growth of more than 7% higher than that of emerging economies such as Vietnam and Thailand. Chinese companies on the border open a third luxury resort, with casinos, restaurants and hotels.

Vientiane (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Laos, one of the harshest communist regimes in the world along with North Korea, has opened up a stock market. The first stock exchange was launched in Vientiane in recent days and the regime's decision has received the support of the international community, especially China, which has already realized new opportunities for economic investment in the country.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Mark Mobius, American economist and president of Templeton Emerging Markets Group, said that Laos is rich in resources and in opening of the stock market is trying to replicate the successes other Communist countries like Vietnam and China by developing markets to promote growth and create jobs for one of the youngest populations in Asia. Mobius notes that in the coming years the growth of Laos, which is considered the smallest economy in Southeast Asia, will exceed 7%, reaching levels of other emerging markets like China, Thailand and other ASEAN nations. To demonstrate the market's confidence in the new Asian equity markets, the economist cites the surge in the securities of the Banque puor le Commerce Exterieur Lao Pcl and the Edl-Generation Pcl, which on debut shot up to 45% and 9.3%. The economist adds that the country is an excellent investment opportunity especially for its energy and mineral resources.

Meanwhile, China has already begun its investment in border areas with Laos. Recently, Beijing begun building a new resort, with casinos, hotels and restaurants that will employ more than 200 thousand Chinese workers and families. The new building is part of the project led by China's special economic zone (SEZ), an area of Chinese investment in collaboration with tLao authorities. The complex will be the third built and maintained by China on the territory together with that of Boke and Boten. The two localities have for years been a destination for tourists from China and Thailand, where gambling is officially illegal. In Boten turnover is such that in the space of a few years, Chinese has become the official language and yuan the main currency.

Ruled by a communist government since 1975, Laos began market reforms in 1980. The country is home to 7 million people. Of these 40% are under 15 years of age and earn just over 2 dollars a day. With the new reform of the current leadership hopes to integrate the local economy with the global economy. The aim of this next five years is to attract up to 15 billion U.S. dollars and enter the World Trade Organization (WTO). Laos has followed the same path of Thailand and Vietnam today with 478 and 275 listed companies.

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• China
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