# Laos Export Playbook for South Asia

![Yugalinks](https://www.yugalinks.com/trade/yugalinks-logo-v3-dark-mode.webp)

> Yugalinks regional export playbook

Compare buyer markets, access conditions, and calculated product opportunities in South Asia. Use this guide to prioritize research, not to treat calculated indicators as guaranteed sales.

## Navigation

- [Yugalinks home](https://www.yugalinks.com/)
- [Trade data](https://www.yugalinks.com/trade/)
- [Open country workspace](https://www.yugalinks.com/app/countries)
- [Data sources](https://www.yugalinks.com/data-sources)
- [Methodology](https://www.yugalinks.com/methodology)

## Overview

- Exporter: Laos (LAO)
- Region: South Asia
- Latest trade year: 2024
- Buyer markets: 1
- Calculated three-year opportunity: $67.7B
- Reported FTA markets: 1
- Average reported distance: 2,847 km
- Average business entry indicator: 18 days

## Market comparison

| Market | ISO3 | Opportunity | Products | FTA | Distance | Entry days | Top product |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | --- | ---: | ---: | --- |
| India | IND | $67.7B | 17 | Reported | 2,847 km | 18 | Metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder) |

## Product and market opportunities

| Rank | Market | Product | Opportunity | Buyer growth | Current share |
| ---: | --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| 1 | India (IND) | HS 710812 - Metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder) | $33.8B | +21.1% | +0.1% |
| 2 | India (IND) | HS 851770 - Telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts | $14.8B | +18.2% | +0.0% |
| 3 | India (IND) | HS 854140 - Electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light emitting diodes | $6.2B | +21.6% | +0.2% |
| 4 | India (IND) | HS 260300 - Copper ores and concentrates | $2.4B | +26.0% | +0.9% |
| 5 | India (IND) | HS 710813 - Metals: gold, semi-manufactured | $2.0B | +17.1% | +0.3% |
| 6 | India (IND) | HS 850440 - Electrical static converters | $1.9B | +14.8% | +0.0% |
| 7 | India (IND) | HS 851762 - Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus | $1.3B | +16.4% | +0.3% |
| 8 | India (IND) | HS 852580 - Television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders | $1.1B | +22.1% | +0.1% |
| 9 | India (IND) | HS 392690 - Plastics: other articles n.e.s. in chapter 39 | $603.1M | +8.3% | +0.0% |
| 10 | India (IND) | HS 851830 - Headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers | $553.5M | +20.9% | +0.2% |
| 11 | India (IND) | HS 720449 - Ferrous waste and scrap: n.e.s. in heading no. 7204 | $545.6M | +8.5% | +0.0% |
| 12 | India (IND) | HS 850300 - Electric motors and generators: parts suitable for use solely or principally with the machines of heading no. 8501 or 8502 | $541.5M | +4.1% | +0.1% |
| 13 | India (IND) | HS 732690 - Iron or steel: articles n.e.s. in heading no. 7326 | $457.3M | +11.1% | +0.0% |
| 14 | India (IND) | HS 800110 - Tin: unwrought, not alloyed | $414.5M | +12.2% | +0.0% |
| 15 | India (IND) | HS 853710 - Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than switching apparatus of heading no. 8517), for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts | $402.0M | +11.1% | +0.0% |
| 16 | India (IND) | HS 851829 - Loudspeakers: not mounted in their enclosures | $361.4M | +16.7% | +0.0% |
| 17 | India (IND) | HS 854442 - Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, fitted with connectors | $348.8M | +16.4% | +0.2% |

## Sector opportunities

| Sector | Products | Reported buyer imports | Opportunity | Average growth |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| HS2 71 - HS2 sector 71 | 2 | $56.0B | $35.8B | +19.1% |
| HS2 85 - HS2 sector 85 | 10 | $25.6B | $27.5B | +16.2% |
| HS2 26 - HS2 sector 26 | 1 | $3.6B | $2.4B | +26.0% |
| HS2 39 - HS2 sector 39 | 1 | $1.1B | $603.1M | +8.3% |
| HS2 72 - HS2 sector 72 | 1 | $2.7B | $545.6M | +8.5% |
| HS2 73 - HS2 sector 73 | 1 | $845.3M | $457.3M | +11.1% |
| HS2 80 - HS2 sector 80 | 1 | $388.1M | $414.5M | +12.2% |

## Frequently asked questions

### Should Laos focus on South Asia?

Use the market ranking as a starting point, then check product fit, buyer requirements, route costs, tariffs, standards, and competitive conditions.

### What does calculated opportunity mean?

It is a screening indicator built from demand and exporter-position signals. It is not a confirmed order, sales forecast, or guarantee of market entry.

### How should exporters use this page?

Prioritize one market and product combination, then validate buyers, compliance, logistics, pricing, and continuity before making a commercial decision.

## Method

Reported trade observations and calculated indicators are shown separately. Validate buyers, tariffs, standards, logistics, pricing, and competition before acting.

Yugalinks presents derived views for research and planning. [Read the full methodology](https://www.yugalinks.com/methodology).

## Data sources

- Primary trade series: OECD (2025), Balanced international merchandise trade statistics (BIMTS) - HS2017-6D, OECD Data Explorer (accessed on 2026-08-30). [OECD Data Explorer](https://data-explorer.oecd.org/) - [OECD Terms & Conditions](https://www.oecd.org/termsandconditions/)
- CEPII BACI bilateral trade flows (202601): [dataset page](https://www.cepii.fr/CEPII/en/bdd_modele/bdd_modele_item.asp?id=37) - [BACI documentation](https://www.cepii.fr/DATA_DOWNLOAD/baci/doc/baci_webpage.html) - [Etalab 2.0 Open Licence](https://www.etalab.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/open-licence.pdf)

This page presents derived Yugalinks views of reported observations and calculated indicators.