Japanese company approved of growing medicinal plants in Laos

Japanese company approved of growing medicinal plants in Laos

(KPL) The Government of the Lao PDR gave a license on a feasibility study of the plantation of medicinal plants and the establishment of a processing factory in Lao Ngam district, Saravane province, to the Tsumura Company of Japan.
This is quoted from the memorandum of understanding on land survey and feasibility study of the medicinal plants and processing factory signed on 11 November, at the Ministry of Planning and Investment. The signatories to the document were Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Thongmy Phomvisay, and a representative of the Tsumura Company, Mr Tsuyoshi Iwasawa and Deputy Head Office of Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture, Mr Sousat Sayakounma.
Taking part in the event were Saravane Governor Khamboun Douangpanya, Japanese Ambassador to Laos, Mr Massaki Misashita, and high-ranking officials of both sides.
If the six-month survey proves feasible, the company will then sign a concession contract of investment.
The Tsumura is a leading company of Japan experiencing in the plantation of medicinal plants for the production of quality traditional medicines to supply to public and private hospitals in Japan and for export.
A pilot project of medicinal plant cultivation has been conducted for three years, in cooperation with the National Agricultural and Forestry Extension Service and the Saravane Agriculture and Forestry Division. As a result, the project proves effective thanks to the public cooperation. The result has convinced the Tsumura Company of Japan to sign the MoU on the concession of 1,000 ha to grow medicinal plants in Lao Ngam district, Saravane province, Paksong district of Champassak province for export to Japan.
After completing the survey the Japanese company plans to invest in this sector in Laos. In the near future, the company needs a large amount of labour force in the production process that benefits local people in these provinces.