Stock market opens for business in communist nation

Communist Laos opened a modest stock market today, hoping to attract capital to its largest enterprises and boost the economy of one of the world’s poorest nations.

The Lao Securities Exchange is initially offering shares in just two state-owned enterprises – Electricite du Laos Generation Company, the country’s major energy company, and the Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao, official Lao media said. Foreign participation will be limited.