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A financial economist who builds companies and serves Lao business.
Born and based in Vientiane. Trained in Thailand and Japan. Thirteen years building firms that help investors and SMEs start, grow and go digital in Laos.
Based in
Vientiane, Lao PDR
Languages
Lao, English, Thai
Focus
SMEs, finance, digital
Scholarship
MEXT, Japan
Biography
Research discipline, applied to real businesses
Sounay Phothisane is a Lao business leader and financial economist. He is the founder and Managing Director of AQQOUNT Investment and Consulting (2013) and Emerging Digital Solutions (2015). Together the two firms help investors set up companies in Laos and help SMEs adopt technology.
He studied International Business at Mahasarakham University, earned an MBA in Business Modeling and Analysis at Mahidol University International College, and completed an MSc in Financial Economics at Kobe University as a Japanese Government (MEXT) scholar. His research on liquidity and asset pricing in emerging markets was published in the Journal of International Finance Studies.
Today he serves on the Management Board of the SME Service Center of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is an Elected Representative of the Lao Front for National Development. He sits on the executive committees of the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Laos and the Lao Best Brand Association, and led the BNI CEO Chapter in Vientiane as President.
“My mission is to help businesses thrive in competitive markets by combining financial expertise with innovative technology.”
Sounay Phothisane
How I work
Principles
01
Evidence first
Decisions start from data and tested models, the habit of an economist.
02
Givers gain
Networks grow when members help each other first, the BNI way.
03
Integrity and trust
Transparent work that clients, partners and government can rely on.
Education
Three degrees, three countries' perspective
2013 – 2015
MSc Financial Economics
Kobe University, Japan. MEXT scholar. Thesis: Measuring Liquidity in Emerging Markets.
2008 – 2010
MBA, Business Modeling & Analysis
Mahidol University International College, Thailand. Thesis: Tactical Asset Allocation with Return Generating Model, the Alpha Strategy.
2004 – 2008
BBA, International Business
Mahasarakham University, Thailand. Key presenter, SIFE Thailand National Exposition 2008.
Career timeline
2004 to today
Education, companies and public roles, newest first.
Oct 2026 –
Management Board Member
SME Service Center, LNCCI · Decision No. 1513/LNCCI
Apr 2026 –
Elected Representative
Lao Front for National Development
2025 – 2026
President
BNI CEO Chapter, Vientiane
Jun 2025 –
Executive Committee
Young Entrepreneurs Association of Laos
Apr 2025 –
Executive Committee
Lao Best Brand Association
2016 –
Lecturer, Corporate Finance
Soutsaka Institute of Technology (Comcenter College)
2015 –
Founder & Managing Director
Emerging Digital Solutions
2015 –
Founder
Classme.org and LaoData.org
2013 –
Founder & Managing Director
AQQOUNT Investment and Consulting
2010 – 2013
Specialist
Mahasarakham Business School, Mahasarakham University
Recognition
Awards, scholarships and selections
2026 (B.E. 2569)
Outstanding International Alumni Award
Nominee · Mahasarakham University
2013
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
MSc Financial Economics, Kobe University
2012
International Visitor Leadership Program
Lao representative, U.S. Department of State
Documents
Curriculum vitae
Two pages, updated 31 October 2026.