Vientiane, Laos: Electric taxi operator Green SM has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with 10 strategic partners in Laos, bringing together businesses from banking, telecommunications, digital payments, media and hospitality to expand access to electric mobility services. The agreements are intended to improve connectivity between platforms, introduce customer benefits and strengthen the company’s presence in the Lao transportation market.
The agreements were announced during a ceremony in Vientiane marking the third anniversary of Green SM’s electric taxi operations in Laos, popularly known as the “Land of a Million Elephants.” The event, held under the theme “Green Alliance Frontier – Where Pioneers of the Green Economy Come Together,” was attended by Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Laos.
Banking, Telecom and Hospitality Companies Join Green SM Network
The 10 participating organisations represent several industries that interact directly with consumers and travellers.
In banking and financial services, Green SM signed agreements with VietinBank Laos, Joint Development Bank Public, MB Bank Laos and Sacombank Laos.
The telecommunications and payments sector is represented by Unitel, ETL and Lao Telecoms (M-Money), while Good Media (Bawanli) joins as a partner in transportation and travel.
The hospitality partnerships include Muong Thanh Luxury Vientiane Hotel and Latsavong Wanda Vista Hotel, extending the proposed collaboration into the tourism and accommodation sectors.
Under the agreements, Green SM and its partners will explore opportunities to incorporate electric transportation services into their respective platforms and customer networks.
Potential initiatives include integrated mobility solutions, exclusive promotions and customer engagement programmes designed to make electric taxi services easier to access through existing banking, telecommunications and other service channels.
The agreements outline areas for future cooperation rather than announcing the immediate introduction of new services.
Focus on Tourism, Digital Connectivity and Customer Convenience
Tourism and hospitality are expected to be important areas of cooperation, with Green SM and its hotel partners exploring transportation options for international visitors, corporate travellers and hotel guests.
Such arrangements could help simplify journeys between hotels and other destinations while improving access to electric taxis for customers unfamiliar with local transportation services.
Meanwhile, cooperation with telecommunications and payment providers could create opportunities to connect mobility services with platforms already used by local consumers.
The proposed collaborations also include joint branding and awareness campaigns with media partners to promote electric transportation.
For passengers, the broader ambition is straightforward: making the process of arranging a ride almost as convenient as taking one.
Green SM Emphasises Cross-Sector Collaboration
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Linh, Deputy CEO of Mobility Services Operation at Green SM, highlighted the importance of cooperation between businesses in accelerating the transition towards sustainable transportation.
“The transition to a greener future requires the collaboration and collective efforts of businesses and organizations across different sectors. Through Green Alliance Frontier, we aim to create a platform for Green SM and its partners to connect, share a common vision, leverage their respective strengths, and explore meaningful opportunities for collaboration. By bringing together platforms, services, and customer networks, we hope to make green mobility solutions more accessible to local communities while contributing to sustainable value creation for the people and market of Laos.”
The signing ceremony also featured an artwork titled Frontier Mark, incorporating distinctive marks from the participating organisations into a single symbol representing their shared commitment to collaboration and environmentally responsible mobility.
Nearly 4.6 Million Rides Completed in Three Years
Green SM reported that it has completed nearly 4.6 million rides in Laos since beginning operations three years ago, providing an indication of its activity in the country’s electric taxi market.
The latest agreements represent an effort to build on that operating history by developing relationships beyond the transportation sector.
Rather than focusing solely on increasing the availability of electric taxis, Green SM is seeking to connect its services with financial institutions, payment platforms, telecommunications providers and hotels that serve residents and visitors.
The approach reflects the growing importance of partnerships between mobility operators and other consumer-facing industries, particularly as transportation services become more closely connected with digital platforms.
However, the eventual impact of the agreements will depend on how many proposed initiatives are implemented and whether they deliver measurable improvements in accessibility and customer convenience.
A Wider Push Towards Sustainable Transportation in Laos
The partnerships come as Green SM seeks to strengthen its position in Laos through cooperation with established local businesses.
For the country’s transportation sector, such initiatives could support broader adoption of electric mobility by reducing barriers to accessing services and connecting them with everyday consumer activities.
The agreements also illustrate how the development of electric transportation increasingly extends beyond vehicles and charging infrastructure to include digital connectivity, payment systems and tourism services.
With nearly 4.6 million rides completed and 10 new strategic agreements signed, Green SM’s next phase in Laos will be shaped not only by the number of electric taxis on the road but also by how effectively those services become part of the country’s wider transportation and digital ecosystem.
