“We started the import of healthy food products under the Heritage brand, such as nuts, dried fruit and almond milk, mainly to sell to foreigners in central Vientiane in 2013,” said the Director of Nounthong Trading Imp-Exp Company Limited, Mr Thongsavand Kittikhammoune.

“Sales in the region have continued to increase since both foreigners and local people know about and have gained an interest in these products. Last year, our sales increased by 40 percent compared to the figures for 2017 and we expect sales will continue to grow in the coming years,” he added.

Building on increased sales volume, Heritage organised an event in Vientiane yesterday to introduce its products to guests, including representatives of convenience stores, restaurants, the media and the public.

The organisers invited a famous chef from Thailand to make healthy snacks using Heritage products as the main ingredients.

There are hundreds of products under the Heritage brand which are exported to Laos but the most popular are cashew nuts, almond milk and dried fruit.

The brand’s main customers include restaurants, ice-cream shops, foreigners and local residents.

In 2017, trade between Laos and Thailand touched US$6.17 billion, up 5.1 percent from the previous year.

Last year, up to October, Laos imported automobiles and parts, chemicals, cosmetics, clothes, plastic products, machinery and parts and other goods worth more than US$2.7 billion from Thailand.

Laos’ exports to Thailand are mainly hydroelectric power, processed wood, agricultural products and other natural resource-based products, and exports were worth nearly US$ 1.7 billion last year in the period up to October.