Vinachem Accelerates Kali Project in Laos – Urgent Need and Strategic Vision
Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem) has reaffirmed the determination to advance the Project for Exploiting and Processing Potassium Rock Salt Ore in Khammouane Province, Laos.
On the morning of July 9, 2025, in Vientiane, within the framework of a dialogue session between the Government leaders of Vietnam and Laos and exemplary Vietnamese enterprises, Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem) reaffirmed the commitment to promoting the Project for Exploiting and Processing Potassium Rock Salt Ore in Khammouane Province (Laos). The project is considered to play a strategic role in ensuring fertilizer security for Vietnam and is also a symbol of bilateral investment cooperation.
Efforts to Restart the Project and Initial Results
At the dialogue session, Mr. Dao Trong Cuong, Member of the Group's Party Committee Executive Board and Deputy General Director of Vinachem, emphasized: "The potassium rock salt ore project in Laos is a project of great significance for Vinachem's sustainable development and especially important for the friendly cooperative relationship between the two countries."
He stated that Vietnam imports nearly 1 million tons of potassium each year, of which about 350,000 tons come from Laos, and Vinachem alone imports about 190,000 tons/year. Successful development of the project will contribute to proactively securing domestic supply, reducing dependence on the international market, and enhancing the competitiveness of the fertilizer production industry.
After a period of delay, the Project for Exploiting and Processing Potassium Rock Salt Ore in Khammouane Province has been permitted by both governments to restart. Immediately thereafter, Vinachem sent numerous delegations to Laos to work directly with ministries, sectors, and local authorities to resolve difficulties and obstacles. Notably, at a working session on May 27, 2025, with Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Vinachem received strong encouragement, support, and commitment from the Lao Government.
Recommendations to the Lao Government to Promote the Project
In its speech, Vietnam National Chemical Group emphasized that timely and effective support from the Lao Government plays a crucial and decisive role in ensuring the progress and success of the potassium salt ore project. At the dialogue session, Mr. Dao Trong Cuong requested the Lao Deputy Prime Minister to continue to direct ministries, sectors, and local authorities to coordinate closely and create favorable conditions regarding mechanisms and policies to remove obstacles in procedures, allocate resources, and prepare the site—essential conditions for the construction and subsequent operational phases.
He affirmed that Vinachem will maximize its resources and coordinate closely with relevant units to implement the project with the highest determination, striving to bring the potassium rock salt ore exploitation plant in Laos into commercial operation by mid-2027 – exactly as planned. This is a strong commitment from the Group to a project of strategic importance not only economically but also diplomatically.
The potassium rock salt ore project in Laos is expected to become a highlight in investment cooperation between the two countries. From a business perspective, Vinachem has determined that bringing the project into operation soon will not only contribute to ensuring national fertilizer security but also clearly demonstrate the responsibility and pioneering role of Vietnamese state-owned enterprises in promoting the increasingly deep and broad economic and political cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.