MOIC and USAID Convened the 9th Project Review Committee Meeting of the USAID Laos Business Environment Project
Vientiane Capital, November 22, 2024 — The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) convened the 9th Project Review Committee Meeting of the USAID Laos Business Environment Project (LBE) in Vientiane. The meeting’s principal objectives were to review the results of project implementation for 2024 and discuss priorities for the project work plan for 2025. Dr. Manothong Vongsay, Deputy Minister, MOIC, and Mr. Michael McCord, USAID Country Representative to Laos, co-chaired the meeting. Participants included the Project’s key government and private sector focal points, project counterparts, and development partners.
Throughout 2024, the USAID LBE project achieved key milestones that contribute to Laos’ economic growth and development. The project awarded several partnership grants to support handicraft groups, enhance the competitiveness of the tourism sector, and equip Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with business and financial skills needed for improving their performance. Key achievements include organizing the 2nd Champasak Business Annual Forum and successfully establishing and implementing the Local Public-Private Dialogue process in Savannakhet. Finalizing the Lao PDR’s Smooth Least Developed Country Transition Roadmap for Priority Actions in Trade and Trade-Related Areas from 2024 to 2030 and improvement of trade facilitation systems, such as the e-Certificate of Origin system, were other notable achievements.
During his opening remarks, Dr. Manothong stated that “the project has been making important contributions to the implementation of our national post-pandemic SME/Private Sector development priorities. I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to the U.S. Government and USAID for its commitments to enhancing trade and private sector development in Laos.”
Mr. McCord acknowledged the leadership and collaboration of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and other key stakeholders in shaping the project success. “As the LBE project enters its final year in 2025, I encourage us all to not only focus on achieving the project’s objectives, but also to think strategically about sustainability and long-term impact beyond the project’s conclusion,” emphasized Mr. McCord.
The MSME Promotion Agency, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Department of Trade Negotiation and Economic Cooperation presented the LBE project’s progress report for 2024. In addition, the priorities for 2025 were presented during the meeting.
The USAID Laos Business Environment Project is a six-year program that aims to assist the Lao government in improving the climate for investment and trade and enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.
