Notification No. 1327/DERM, List D 02-2015, establishes conditions on foreign partcipation (e.g. minimum registered capital and foreign ownerhsip limitations)  in a number of activities. Included in this restriction is the operation of non-specialised retail stores. Decision No. 1950/MOIC.DIT on Shopping Centers and Department Stores, dated 22 September 2015. establishes minimum capital and foreign shareholding conditions for foreign investors to participate in the business of shopping centres and department stores: 1) a 100% foreign equity is allwoed for investment projects with a total value of 160 Billion Kip or more; 2) up to 70% foreign equity is allowed for investment projects with a total value of 80 Billion to less than 160 Billion Kip; 3) up to 51% foreign equity is allowed for investment projects with a total value of 08 Billion to less than 80 Billion Kip; 4) For investment projects with a value of less than 08 Billion Kip, including shops, and sundry shops established independently and various forms of wholesale-retail outlets are reserved for Lao citizens.
In addition, the E-Commerce Decree broadly classifies e-commerce business activities into three forms: 1. Selling goods and services through one's own electronic means (a website, mobile application, or other program); 2. Selling goods and services on electronic marketplaces; 3. Operating electronic marketplaces. Both domestic and foreign persons (individuals, entities, and organizations) are allowed to operate all of the above forms of e-commerce businesses in the Lao PDR. However, certain discriminatory requirements apply for operating an e-commerce marketplace service (form 3) involving a foreign investor: Foreign equity shareholding of the legal entity cannot be more than 90% and the minimum registered capital required in case of foreign ownership (irrespective of the foreign ownership percentage) is LAK10 billion (US$1 million).
"List of Business Activities for Foreign Investors [with conditions]:
- Other retail in non-specialized stores [i.e. retail business] (minimum registered capital: 4-10 billion Lak, foreign equity participation limited to  50%; if registered capital is 10-20 billion Lak, foreign equity participation is limited to 70%; if registered capital is above 20 billion Lak, wholly-owned foreign investment is allowed) [...]
- Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles [establishment of garage for vehicle and mechanical repairs] (minimum registered capital: 1.5 billion Lak)" (Notification No. 1327/DERM, List D 02-2015)
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"Business Activities Reserved for Lao Nationals (Revised): [...]
- Other retail in non-specialized stores (i.e. retail business with registered capital of less than 4 billion kip)" (Notification 1328/MOIC, List C 02-2015)
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"Article 9 Investment in the Establishment of Shopping Centers and Department Stores by Foreign Investors
Foreign investors can invest in the establishment of shopping centers and department stores in accordance with the following conditions:
1. Have a 100% foreign equity for investment projects with a total value of 160 Billion Kip or more;
2. Have up to 70% foreign equity for investment projects with a total value of 80 Billion to less than 160 Billion Kip;
3. Have up to 51% foreign equity for investment projects with a total value of 08 Billion to less than 80 Billion Kip.
For investment projects with a value of less than 08 Billion Kip, including shops, and sundry shops established independently and various forms of wholesale-retail outlets are reserved for Lao citizens." (Decision No. 1950/MOIC.DIT on Shopping Centers and Department Stores, dated 22 September 2015, Art. 9)
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"Article 16 Foreign investment
Foreign individuals or legal entities that intend to conduct electronic market services business in Lao PDR must have a registered capital of 10 billion or more and can hold a maximum of 90 percent of shares.[...]" (Decree on E-Commerce No. 296/GOV dated 12 April 2021 (the "E-Commerce Decree") [google translation])
Notification No. 1327/DERM, List D 02-2015, of 13 July 2015
Notification 1328/MOIC, List C 02-2015
Decision on Wholesale and Retail Business No.1005/MOIC.DTD, dated 22 May 2015
Decision No. 1950/MOIC.DIT on Shopping Centers and Department Stores, dated 22 September 2015
Decree on E-Commerce No. 296/GOV dated 12 April 2021 (the "E-Commerce Decree")
[<a href="http://www.laotradeportal.gov.la/kcfinder/upload/files/Notification1327_2015ENG.pdf">Notification</a>],[<a href="http://www.laotradeportal.gov.la/kcfinder/upload/files/MOIC_1328_2015_Eng.pdf">Notification</a>],[<a href="http://www.laotradeportal.gov.la/kcfinder/upload/files/Decision1005_2015ENG.pdf">Decision</a>],[<a href="http://www.laotradeportal.gov.la/kcfinder/upload/files/Decision1950_2015ENG.pdf">Decision</a>],[<a href="http://www.ned.moic.gov.la/News/ນິຕິກຳຂອງຂະແໜງການອື່ນໆທີຕິດພັນ/ດໍາລັດວ່າດ້ວຍການຄ້າ%20ທາງເອເລັກໂຕຣນິກ%20(296-ລບ)%20Decree%20on%20Electronic%20Commerce%20No.296%20-%20Reduced.pdf">Decree</a>],[<a href="https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/lao-pdrs-new-e-commerce-decree-what-to-look-out-for/">Other</a>]