On June 19, 2018, the China-Laos Capital Market Cooperation Communication Seminar was successfully held in Shenzhen. The event was co-hosted by Shenzhen Stock Exchange (hereinafter as “SZSE”) and Lao Securities Exchange (hereinafter as “LSX”), and was organized by “V-Next”, an information service platform operated by Shenzhen Securities Information Co., Ltd. for cross-border projects. The aim of the event is to help Chinese investors and enterprises better understand the environment for economic and social development in Laos, and, by introducing Laos’ quality enterprises with local characteristics through roadshows and focusing on the Belt and Road construction, to promote in-depth integration of high-quality industries and capitals in China and Laos. Representatives from SZSE, Securities and Exchange Commission of Lao PDR and LSX attended the event.

With a focus on the introduction of Laos’ local investment environment, the roadshows were presented by 7 listed and to-be-listed companies of LSX in the industries of foreign trade, electricity, petroleum, telecommunications, furniture, cement, and leasing. The on-site roadshows attracted 60 companies and professional institutional investors from China and were broadcasted via the Internet to about 4000 institutional investors.

There is already a good foundation for cooperation between the capital markets in both countries. In August 2017, SZSE successfully hosted the China-Laos cross-border capital service mechanism launching ceremony and the business roadshow communication seminar in Vientiane, Laos. 4 projects with Laos’ characteristics were shown to China’s institutional investors through the V-Next platform and were well received by the investors in China. In December 2017, SZSE and LSX signed a MOU to deepen capital market collaboration through information sharing, personnel exchanges, experience sharing, and personnel training and mutual visits.

V-Next was established according to the “Technological SMEs Development Road Map 2.0” jointly launched by SZSE and the Science and Technology Ministry of China. Its aim is to build an investing and financing ecosystem that better supports entrepreneurship and innovation. By utilizing cutting-edge information technology and on-site and on-line roadshow resolutions, the platform provides technological SMEs with all-round, full life-cycle comprehensive financing information services. It has already attracted more than 4,900 technological SMEs and over 11,000 professional investors from more than 4,600 investment institutions. More than 700 offline roadshows have been held, which helped over 600 technological SMEs successfully obtain financing, with an accumulated financing amount of over CNY22 billion. At present, the platform has been launched in Britain, South Korea, India, Cambodia, Laos, Pakistan, Vietnam, the Philippines, South Africa, Germany and Canada to provide one-stop cross-border investing and financing services to domestic and foreign market participants, thus promoting the integration of high-quality industries and capitals between China and other Belt and Road countries and developed markets.

Next, drawing upon the market construction experience of SZSE, V-Next shall further standardize its operation mechanism, optimize technical capabilities, strengthen risk prevention and create a credible and authoritative cross-border investing and financing connecting platform. It will work with financial institutions at home and abroad to share resource channels, build cooperation networks and continuously enhance its penetration and influence. In this way, it may serve the Belt and Road construction in greater depth and breadth.