USAID supports workshop on SME Service Center Capacity Improvement and Strategic Planning

Pakse, Lao PDR – On February 17-18, 2022, the Department of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion (DOSMEP) of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC), the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and the Champasak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), in partnership with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Laos Business Environment Project, organized the SME Service Center Capacity Improvement and Strategic Planning Workshop and celebrated the 5th Year Anniversary of the SME Service Center (SSC). The workshop provided the opportunity for SSC management to discuss key challenges and the preparation of the SSC improvement plan which will ultimately become an operating manual and governance structure for SSCs across Lao PDR.

The workshop was chaired by Mr. Bountheung Douangsavanh, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce. There were approximately 40 participants from four SME Service Centers in Vientiane Capital, Luangprabang, Savannakhet and Champasak Province.

During his opening remarks, Mr. Bountheung Douangsavanh, expressed his appreciation for USAID’s continuous support. “The Government of Lao PDR always sees the importance of enhancing the competitiveness of the Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSME) as they contribute to social and economic development. Strengthening SSCs is necessary in supporting the Government’s policy for SME development and in delivering services to SMEs. The assessment of the SSCs is critically important and will serve as a reference for SSC’s improvement. This will also lead to the development of a strategic plan which will serve as good practice for establishing SSC in other potential provinces,” said Mr. Bountheung.

Ms. Phanmany Khamphilavong, Deputy Chief of Party, USAID Laos Business Environment (USAID-LBE) Project, congratulated the Government of Lao PDR on its efforts to improve the Lao business environment. “USAID, through the Laos Business Environment Project, is proud to continue its support to the Department of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion and LNCCI in improving the competitiveness of SMEs as they play a critical role in enhancing socio-economic development in Lao PDR, and they are a major force in terms of generating income and employment. Building internal capacity of the SSCs is the first step in ensuring high-quality business development service delivery in Lao PDR,” said Ms. Phanmany.

The USAID Laos Business Environment Project (USAID-LBE) assists the Government of Laos to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises while strengthening the business environment in Laos.