China to become Laos biggest investor

Today in Vientiane Times:

China looks set to become the largest foreign investor in Laos in the near future as Chinese businesses make further inroads into the country. A mega Chinese real estate development projects in Vientiane is taking shape.

I am quite concerned about these projects, since they all focus on consumers rather than production. With so many shopping malls now announced, I am wondering who actually goes shopping there?