Technical team from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce organized a Provincial Public Private Dialogue in Phongsaly and Oudomxay Provinces

The technical team from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, led by Deputy Director General of Department of Planning and Cooperation Mr. Sengphanomchone Inthasane, visited Phongsaly and Oudomxay provinces to participate the Technical Public and Private Dialogue (TPPD) in Phongsaly province on 23 August 2021 and Oudomxay province on 25 August 2021. The objective of the meeting was to open the stage for the public sector to clarify the priority issues raised in the previous Provincial Private Sector Working Group after submitting issues to the relevant public sectors.
The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Sengphanomchone Inthasane, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, together with the head of Office of Industry and Commerce of Phongsaly and Oudonxay provinces, and the President of Phongsaly and Oudomxay Chamber of Commerce and Industries. Around 50 participants, 9 females attended the meeting in Phongsaly and other 50 participants, 15 Females attended the meeting in Oudomxay.

The heads of the Office of Industry and Commerces of Phongsaly and Oudomxay, stated on their opening remarks that we still encountered challenges during the adaptation of the new relevant laws and regulations, especially the consistency in the implementation of trade-related laws and regulations between central and local levels, and among the local levels. These challenges caused hindrances to the local business development and employment, which impacted the implementation of poverty reduction in the area.

Mr. Sengphanomchone Inthasane, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, provided his opening remark that the implementation of the Local Public and Private Dialogue was very significant for both public and private sectors to improve business environment at the provincial level. The mechanism was derived from the Lao Business Forum. He also emphasized on the continuation and sustainability of this mechanism in improving the provinces’ economy effectively.

The President of Provincial of Chamber of Commerce and Industries, provided his comment during welcome speech that the provisions to reduce the COVID-19 pandemic directly affect the Lao economy. Therefore, addressing the issues that we discussed today will lessen the impact of the economic crisis, help improve the business environment and raise the competitiveness of the private sectors in the domestic and international markets.
During the meeting, the participants from the private sectors listened to the addresses on issues from relevant public sectors. Together with this, the participants from both sectors were also exchange comments on the solutions about the issues.

In the last section of the agenda, the head of the Office of Industry and Commences closed the meeting by acknowledging all participant’s contributions.

The meeting was supported by ECL Project which is funded by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF). EIF is an Aid for Trade partnership in action for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The ECL Project intends to promote private sector-led economic growth in the least developed Northern Region of the country in response to the Government’s eight National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP). The project consists of three components: Improvement of the local business environment, Enhancement of productivity and exports of critical sectors, and project management.