Laos' first telecommunications satellite (Lao Sat-1) will be launched into orbit on November 21 ahead of the 40th anniversary of Lao National Day (December 2). The satellite is owned by the Lao Sat-1 Company, a joint venture between the Lao government and three Chinese shareholders - China Asia-Pacific Mobile Telecommunications Satellite Co., Ltd. (APMT), Space Star Technology Co. Ltd. (SSTC) and Asia-Pacific Satellite Technology (APST). Under a contract signed over the past weekend in the Lao capital city of Vientiane, the Lao government holds a 45 percent stake in the Lao Sat-1 Joint Venture Company, while APMT has a 35 percent shareholding, SSTC has 15 percent and APST has a 5 percent stake. The satellite will be launched from China into the 128.5 degrees east orbital slot, which has been specifically allocated to Laos. In 2011, the Lao government inked an agreement with two Chinese partners, including APMT, to develop the first satellite. One year later, the Lao government signed a 259 million USD loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China to continue the work. Construction of the satellite station, which began in Hadxaifong district, Vientiane capital in early 2014, is now completed and is ready to manage the satellite once it’s launched into orbit. The satellite launch is part of government efforts to propel the country towards industrialisation.-VNA