The project is part of the Lao government’s plan to grow 300,000 ha of rubber trees with the hope of developing the country’s rubber exports, thus speeding up poverty reduction programmes.

An official from the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Bounthong Bouahoom, said the Lao government plans to expand the plantation of rubber trees in northern, central and southern Laos .

The plan will be carried out in the three northern provinces of Luang Namtha, Oudomsay and Bokeo, three central provinces of Bolikhamsay, Khammouane and Savannakhet, and three southern provinces of Champasak, Salavane and Attapeu.

The southern region will have the largest area of rubber plantation, representing 40 percent of the total acreage. The Lao government’s plan is in anticipation of the world’s increasing demand for rubber in future. It sees the plan as a key to speeding up economic growth in underdeveloped areas, and increasing State budget revenues.