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2021
- 18 April
- By Daniele Passalacqua and Hana Bacaj
- Kosovo Office KSV/801
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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KOSOVO - The National Plan for the development and implementation of the Kosovo Graduate Tracking System
Bringing international and local stakeholders together to brainstorm is helpful to see things from different vantage points. On February 23rd, 2021, the Project ESVET PRO- KSV/801 organized a hybrid (in-person and online) workshop for the review of the methodology for the graduate tracking system. This workshop stimulated real-time thoughts, ongoing ideas, and discussions with the international and local stakeholders present.

The graduate tracking system will provide the VET stakeholders, schools, and Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) with evidence on the graduates’ employability data and skill relevance to the labour market needs.

Based on the latest decision of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo against the Covid-19 pandemic; the Project, was allowed to host at most 30 participants and all the guidelines on the measures to keep everyone safe during the workshop have been strictly applied.

The workshop brought together important VET stakeholders from the Ministry of Education and Science (MES), Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo (EARK), Municipal Education Directorate, donor-funded project, and NGOs. Other representatives who could not join the event in-person from European Training Foundation (ETF), and Ministry of Education and Science of North Macedonia participated via Zoom platform.

In the first part of the workshop, the Project presented the draft methodology about the establishment and implementation of the Graduate Tracking System and the support that the Project will provide in this matter.

The Chief Technical Advisor of the Project presenting the draft methodology about the establishment and implementation of the Graduate Tracking System.

In the second part, based on experience and practical examples, VET stakeholders engaged in in-depth discussions about establishing a sustainable and rigorous methodology for Tracer Study which will serve in the long-term in the VET sector in Kosovo. At the end, an expert from ETF gave a very positive note about the draft methodology as well as confirmed the willingness of ETF to cooperate with the Project towards this direction.

Stakeholders discussing about each of the components of the draft methodology of the Graduate Tracking System.

This workshop was very fruitful and an important step towards the creation of a graduate tracking system, which can be a very valuable tool that contributes to the labour market information system, particularly when certain criteria are followed. Graduate tracking system for VET sector are implemented in many countries in the world and in the region; therefore, having such system implemented in Kosovo is a crucial step to be closer to European Union standards.

Reviewing the national plan for the implementation of the Graduate Tracking System is not only important and a great achievement of ESVET PRO and the MES but also a great example of synergy and cooperation between all stakeholders involved in the VET sector.

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of LuxDev and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

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- 2 April
- By Daniele Passalacqua and Renea Bula
- Kosovo Office KSV/801
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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Event on Project Inception Report Presentation
On January 26th, 2021, the Project European Union Support to Vocational Education and Training (VET), Professional Requalification and Occupation (ESVET PRO) organized an event on the presentation of its Inception Report. ESVET PRO is a three year fully funded Project by the European Union and implemented by the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

The Project aims to support the most critical components of VET reform, focusing in improving the structure and performance of the VET offer in Kosovo and contributing to the development of a quality-based, inclusive education, in line with the best international practices.

The event was held in a virtual setting and attracted a large audience with almost 170 participants from national institutions, civil society, private sector, and donor-funded projects joining in from their work and home. The event was moderated by the CTA of the Project, Daniele Cristian Passalacqua who presented the progresses of the Project during its Inception Phase and shared with important stakeholders the forthcoming activities.

In addition, the Inception Report Presentation Event included speeches and testimonials from eminent public figures. Herewith, the event was opened by Agim Bërdyna – Secretary General of Ministry of Education and Science (MES), Luigi Brusa – Head of Cooperation of European Union in Kosovo, and Paolo Cervino – LuxDev Resident Representative.

The testimonials of representatives of the private sector, civil society and VET schools enriched the event with enthusiastic speeches showcasing the most evident achievements of the already implemented good practices of LuxDev. These testimonials depicted a sense of commitment and trust towards the Project with many stakeholders expressing their gratefulness and eagerness to work closely with ESVET PRO.

Despite being held online, the level of connectiveness with the audience remained high and this was done using polls during the event. The polls served to keep the event interactive and to collect expressions of interest from the participants on the various components of ESVET PRO.

Finally, the virtual event was concluded by Stergios Tragoudas- Programme Manager-EU Policies-Education. He praised the commitment of the stakeholders and partners and is looking forward to witnessing the opportunities this Project will provide not only at an institutional level but also to individual VET students.

Altogether, the presentation of the Inception Report resulted in a dynamic event that registered enthusiasm and positive feedback from the participants. The event gave a feeling of hope and optimism to all its participants and demonstrated the many opportunities which can be grasped in the VET sector.
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- 2 April
- By Blerta Avdiu
- Kosovo Office KSV/017
- Health
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KOSOVO - Quality improvement of healthcare services
The extension of the Health Sector Support Programme in Kosovo (Phase II), KSV/017, aims to continue the support given to the General Hospitals of Prizren and Gjilan by improving the Quality and Safety (Q&S) of service provision through:
- elaboration of Q&S tools; and
- provision of professional training, infrastructural works, and basic equipment for surgery and pulmonology departments.
Considering the importance of quality improvement of healthcare services and everyone’s role in ensuring that these services are safe, timely, patient-centred, effective, equitable and efficient, different working groups composed of doctors, nurses and technical staff have been established with a focus on improving processes, systems and clinical practices within the hospitals. The simultaneous and systematic work with the departments will result in streamlining and standardizing processes of both hospitals.

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- 1 April
- By Ben WANDIVINIT
- Asia Office LAO/029
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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LAOS - The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant opens its doors in Vang Vieng
On 1st of April 2021, The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant officially opened its restaurant to the public. Staffed by students who are overseen by their teachers and an international management team, The Academy, which was officially inaugurated in November 2020 and is part of the Vientiane Province Technical College, offers students of tourism and hospitality programmes a unique practical training environment in the heart of Vang Vieng.

The Academy will be staffed by students eager to welcome the first guests and learn much sought-after hospitality skills. Photo credit: Phoonsab Thevongsa

Over the past months, students and teachers at the college have been preparing to welcome its restaurant guests. Chef Serge Selbe, a professional with over 30 years of industry experience has been working with teachers and students to introduce them to the modern and professionally equipped kitchen. The menu we have created with the teachers and students blend international and local produce, combining fresh ingredients, native herbs and spices to create innovative and yet simple dining options, he reveals.

The restaurant and bar area of the Academy, which will be staffed by students under the watchful eyes of their teachers and the management team. Coyright: LuxDev

All meals and drinks offered at The Academy are prepared and served by students who are enhancing their skills in a real-life environment, supported and supervised by their teachers. Some of the students are experiencing working in a professional environment for the first time in their lives, which makes them exceptionally eager to learn. Students realise that they have a rare opportunity to gain much sought-after skills, making it easier to find a job upon graduation, one of the teachers, Ms Nidsakhone Sihachak added.

The last two months went by very fast, Ms Khambai Vongsodsavanh admitted, a student currently enrolled on the Diploma in Hospitality specialising in Restaurant Operations. It has been an intense learning experience for all of us ranging from receiving instructions on how to properly use a wide variety of kitchen utensils, being taught how to practice hygienic standards at all times as well as becoming familiar with all the intricacies of working in a bar and a restaurant.

The hotel at The Academy is also open to guests, offering six guest bedrooms that blend style and comfort with simplicity.

Each bedroom has a private balcony and is equipped with A/C, LCD TV, WiFi, complimentary tea/coffee making facilities and ensuite bathroom. Photo credit: Phoonsab Thevongsa

We can facilitate meetings and events in our meeting rooms which are equipped with LCD projectors, whiteboards, flipcharts and WiFi, the General Manager, Savija Pannark, explains. A wide variety of clients have already made use of our facilities and services, and we are ready to welcome new customers who wish to organise their meetings and events at our facility, she added.

With The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant offering new learning opportunities, students will see their horizons broadened and their aspirations raised, commented Mr Nouphan Outsa, Director General of the Technical Vocational Education Department at the Ministry of Education and Sports. It provides students with the vital work-related knowledge and skills which support them as they transition from school to work. In addition to enhancing their practical skills, training in The Academy will provide students with valuable interactions with the world of work, help them prepare to take up employment in the tourism and hospitality sector and achieve their potential.

The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant is supported by the Skills for Tourism (LAO/029) Project which is co-financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and is implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.
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- 30 March
- By Undraa BAYANAA
- LAO/027
- Health
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LAOS – Strengthening Human Resources for Health through ScholarshipsThe story of Dr Thialor, Laotian doctor working in a remote mountainous area and beneficiary of a Luxembourg funded scholarship for a specialisation in Family Medicine
Xaychamphone district is a remote and hard to reach mountainous area located in Bolikhamxay Province, central Laos. The district stretches along the border with Vietnam, is sparsely populated and is one of the poorest districts in Bolikhamxay province.

The Xaychamhone district hospital is a type B hospital with 15 beds and with no capabilities to provide surgeries. The 29 health personnel, currently working in Xaychamphone district, provide curative and preventive health care services to 17 villages and to a target population of 10,800 people, mainly farmers, among whom 64,2 % are considered to be poor (World Bank, 2016).

One of the leading doctors at the Xaychamphone district hospital is the 34-years-old Dr Thialor Saysue, the only female doctor with a specialisation in Family Medicine. She graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Health Sciences in Vientiane capital in 2011, and thereafter received a two-year scholarship funded by the Government of Luxembourg to study Family Medicine at the same University from 2015 until 2017.

The Family Medicine curriculum prepares young medical doctors to work independently in remote and isolated conditions. The doctors acquire additional skills to handle pediatric emergencies and to perform some surgical and obstetrical procedures, besides learning how to manage community health assessments and interventions, including outreach village health programmes.

Dr Thialor was filled with immense joy when she learned that she would receive a scholarship from Luxembourg. She hopes that other people in her community can receive similar opportunities.
Photo credit: Humanitarian Media Agency (HUMA)

After her specialisation, Dr Thialor was determined to apply her newly acquired knowledge and skills to the benefit of her village and community in Xaychamphone district. Besides her daily work of treating patients at the district hospital, she is also responsible for delivering preventive health care services in the surrounding villages where most of the population belong to the Hmong ethnic group, like herself.

Dr Thialor and her team on their way to visit Namsak village in Bolikhamxay province. Photo credit: HUMA

…we want to make the hospital services come to them; regardless of their social status, no one is excluded from the outreach services.

(Dr Thialor)

Besides financial constraints and behavioral barriers, poor road conditions and lack of transportation means are causing important challenges for villagers to visit hospitals. Therefore, Dr Thialor and her nurse-team quarterly travel to villages in their target area to provide outreach mother-and-child care. They visit nearly each household to ensure that no child is deprived of vaccination and deworming tablets and that each pregnant woman receives a health check-up. Her aim is that communities living in remote areas have access to basic primary health care services.

Dr Thialor during one of her community outreach activities in a remote village in Xaychamphone district, Bolikhamxay province. Community outreach activity in Bolikhamxay province. Photo credit: HUMA

Dr Thialor highlighted that the specialisation in Family Medicine was specifically relevant for working directly with communities in rural areas. She has been doing this work now for several years, and her commitment to integrated family health care grows even stronger. Being a mother herself and being able to speak the same language as most of her patients have helped her to gain the trust of her patients and hence to provide more people-centered services.

Delivery at the Xaychamphone district hospital, Bolikhamxay province. Photo credit: HUMA

I want to see everyone in the community healthy, especially mothers and their children.

(Dr Thialor).

Community outreach activity in Namsak village, Xaychamphone district. Photo credit: HUMA

Dr Thialor is also proud that her studies and the scholarship programme have helped her to gain more confidence in her management abilities and have enabled her to take on a leadership role within her team to improve the district hospitals’ performance. She expresses the wish that more young doctors, especially women and health workers from remote districts, have access to scholarships helping them to improve the health of women and children in their communities.

Discover more about Dr Thailor:

Luxembourg funded Scholarship Programmes

The Lao-Luxembourg Health Sector Support Programme Phase II (LL-HSSP II) supports the goals set out by the Ministry of Health (MoH) as presented in its Health Sector Reform Framework (HSRF) 2013-2025. The HSRF has identified various priority areas, among which human resource capital development is prioritised.

Indeed, the significant shortage of specialists in clinical disciplines, especially at the district level, is one of the major challenges affecting the quality of health services in Laos.

Accordingly, the LL-HSSP II places capacity strengthening, a key component for building a resilient health system, at the center of its intervention strategy. The strategic Human Resource Capital Development (HRCD) initiative and specifically the Luxembourg funded scholarship programmes aim at increasing the availability of clinical specialists and skilled health staff in three central provinces, 28 districts and around 200 health centers.

The LL-HSSP II offers training opportunities for health personnel through a mix of short and long-term scholarship programmes to increase the number of skilled staff, but also addresses the skill-mix imbalances of qualified health staff in the three provinces of Vientiane, Bolikhamxay and Khammouane.

Since 2015, Luxembourg Development Cooperation, through the LAO/027 programme, has offered 430 scholarships. Among these scholarships, 37 long-term scholarships were specifically aimed for medical doctors from provincial and district hospitals who wished to obtain a Family Medicine specialisation at the University of Health Sciences.

It should be highlighted that more than 60 percent of the Luxembourg funded scholarships have been awarded to females and efforts are being made to ensure that young women, specifically from ethnic minorities and volunteers have the opportunity to take part in the scholarship programme. Supported graduates must serve at least three years in designated health facilities where the shortage of staff is high.

A budget of 2 million EUR has been allocated so far for the implementation of the HRCD between 2017 and 2022.

The Lao-Luxembourg Health Sector Support Programme Phase II (LAO/027) is co-financed by the Government of Lao PDR and the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and is implemented by the Lao Ministry of Health and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

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- 25 March
- By Elisé Bagayoko
- Mali Office MLI/021
- Food security
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MALI - Un nouveau souffle dans la certification de proximité des semences végétales
La Direction régionale de l’agriculture (DRA) de Ségou a bénéficié dans le cadre du PIC III d’un nouveau laboratoire d’analyse de semence équipé de matériels de dernière génération. Cette dotation est un véritable renfort pour les producteurs semenciers de la région dont la contribution est estimée à hauteur de 40 % de la production nationale de semences.

À partir de 2020, l’opérationnalisation du Labosem a été effective grâce à la mise en place de l’équipe technique et de la certification des premiers échantillons de semences. Le personnel du Labosem est composé d’un chef de Laboratoire, d’un chef de cellule échantillonnage et analyse, d’un agent de cellule échantillonnage et analyse, d’un comptable et d’une secrétaire. Le personnel technique a bénéficié d’une formation sur le processus d’analyse des semences.

Au titre de sa première campagne de certification en 2020, au total, 1 295 échantillons de semence en provenance de la zone d’intervention du programme Développement rural et sécurité alimentaire - MLI/021, ont été analysés. À titre de comparaison, cela représente 31 % du volume d’analyse du Labosem Sotuba (4 063 échantillons en 2018/2019), premier laboratoire semencier du pays.

Au titre de la deuxième campagne de certification 2021 en cours, le Labosem est en pleine activité d’analyse. Sur une prévision de 1425 échantillons (10% d’augmentation par rapport à 2020), les analyses en cours touchent déjà 600 échantillons de semence de céréales et de cultures maraichères.

Échantillons de semence de riz dans le germoir pour le test de taux de germination

^{Séance de préparation des boîtes a pétrie pour le test de germination par les équipes du Labosem}

Tous les résultats d’analyse sont validés sans réserve par le Laboratoire de Sotuba, ce qui prouve à suffisance l’expertise de l’équipe de Ségou dans la maîtrise des équipements et le processus de certification.

^{M. Alou Diarra, chef de laboratoire dans son bureau}

Le changement apporté par le Labosem est ainsi relaté par M. Alou Diarra, chef de laboratoire « ce laboratoire tant attendu a permis de donner un nouveau souffle à la filière semencière dans la région de Ségou grâce à la décentralisation de la certification des semences au niveau régional avec comme avantage : le raccourcissement du trajet des producteurs semenciers de la région ; la diminution du temps de la certification ; la réduction du coût d’acheminement des échantillons au Labosem ».

En termes de perspective, le Labosem compte renforcer son positionnement en étendant ses services aux semenciers des régions de Mopti, Koutiala et Sikasso.

Le programme MLI/021 est financé par le Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et mis en œuvre par LuxDev, l’agence luxembourgeoise pour la Coopération au développement.
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- 25 March
- By Emma Aguiñot
- Asia Office LAO/030
- Socio-economic development
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LAOS - Local development in support of poverty reductionFirst-Person reflection by Emma Aguiñot, LAO/030 International Province Adviser, Vientiane Province
It was in May 2017 when I first met my colleagues. There must have been 50 of us in total, with ages ranging from 25 to 70. I still remember the air of excitement and uncertainty in the room during our programme orientation, as we all smiled and assured each other – and ourselves – that we would fully grasp what our jobs and roles would entail once we start in the field.

Emma Aguiñot (left) is interviewing with one of the target households in Kasi district, Vientiane Province. Photo credit: LuxDev

It was a slow but firm start. We validated the target villages that were recommended to us by our partners. In Vientiane Province, we validated 100 villages in order to end up with the final 41 villages that we are working with now.

Building of mutual respect and trust between LuxDev-hired staff and the staff of the partner agency increased, I can now confidently say that we trust each other in a way that allows us to work simultaneously in different areas when needed. This relationship has evolved in a positive way and has been strengthened by the systems that were established to promote transparency and accountability.

We shared frustrations when things did not turn out as expected and shared successes when we achieved our targets. We have jointly witnessed district staff evolve and grow in their positions as coordinators of different components. We have seen their children and families grow. We have seen a lot of movement of government staff and political leaders; and above all, we have seen people suffering due to poverty. We have seen people being very close to suffering from social exclusion. We hurt when they are unable to speak the language or when they have difficulties expressing themselves even in their own language. We were moved by this and by their spirit to fight poverty.

Below are just a few of the people who have inspired us to do more, to try harder, so that we can reach them. It is amazing to note that in the space of four years the communities have been able to do so many things through our project, but at the same time, we feel that there is still much left to do.

Faces of People Fighting Poverty

Ms Moth, Pakngan Village, Met District, Vientiane Province. Photo credit: LuxDev

My name is Moh, I am 59 years old. I am a widow with five children. Three of my children are married, while my two younger sons still stay with me in the house. We are classified as a destitute household. We do upland rice cultivation and I plant job’s tears. Five years ago, we did not have any problems with rice insufficiency because our ricefield produced enough and my husband was still alive. Since he passed away, my family has had problems with rice insufficiency. Currently our family’s main income comes from selling job’s tears and fish from the Mekong. We do not earn enough to buy things for daily consumption. Last year, my rice ran out in August. It was very good for me to receive the 80 kg of rice from LAO/030 and the cash transfer of 400,000 LAK. I spent 150,000 LAK on transportation to bring me to the hospital. I received support for constructing a latrine, and I am also using the gravity fed water system. I am hoping that the rice that I got from LAO/030 will cover our needs until the next rice harvest. I would like to request additional support from LAO/030 to set up a productive activity such as pig or poultry raising.

Ms Phong, Namai Village, Hinheup District, Vientiane Province. Photo credit: LuxDev

I am Phong, 44 years old, married and I have three children. I am raising my children alone. I just plant and sell vegetables. I don’t have a ricefield, I just receive support from my daughter who is working in the Vientiane Capital. LAO/030 is a very good project. It is helping our village. It supported households without latrines to get one, and I received this support. Under the COVID-19 response, I got 80 kg of rice and 400,000 LAK in cash. It helped a lot, as I have expenses for my children’s schooling and I need to buy other items for consumption. I would like to thank the project for supporting us. I would like to ask the project for support so that my children can finish high school and eventually attend a vocational school, college or university. I would like to request the project to provide us with technical knowhow to engage in productive activities, which may help me increase my income.

Mr Bounthone (left), Namfuang Village, Met District, Vientiane province. Photo credit: LuxDev

I am Bounthone. I am 22 years old and I am married to Sony Yang. I am 22 and she is 21 and we have a six-month old baby girl. I am Laoluum and Sony is Hmong, from Houaykua. We married last year. The main source of our income is a 0.04 hectare of lowland rice area. When we have a good harvest, we only have one month of rice insufficiency, but when it is a bad harvest, it can be up to 4 or 5 months. We did not have a good harvest in the last cropping season. I received 80 kg of good quality sticky rice from LAO/030, which we are consuming now. We are keeping the little of what is left of the harvest for later. After harvesting rice, I plant vegetables and peanuts. I also provide labour for the villagers to earn money for household necessities. I am hoping to repair my house as soon as the Buddhist lent is over. I received housing materials from the project and the villagers will help me to change the roof.

Ms Phong, Phato Village, Kasi District, Vientiane Province. Photo credit: LuxDev

I am Phong, I am 28 years old, married and have two children. My husband is Jek, he is 30 years old and my eldest daughter is a year 3 student at primary school. I am an upland farmer. I have a lowland plot which would be good for rice cultivation, but I don’t have money to clear it. My family is poor. In April my husband and I went to work at the Chinese orange farm for one and a half months and we earnt a little more than two million LAK. We used it to buy rice and we paid back some of our loan. We have suffered from rice insufficiency since June 2020, so the project’s support is very timely. We received 80 kg of sticky rice. The project also supported us with the construction of latrines and the provision of housing materials and now some hygiene items. I would like to thank the project for supporting our village and our family in particular. I hope to be able to borrow some capital from the Village Credit Scheme in the future so that I can develop my small land into a lowland paddy area. This will allow us to support our daughter to continue with her secondary education.

The Local Development Programme for Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane Province, LAO/030, is co-funded by the Government of Laos and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and is implemented by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

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- 3 March
- By Communiqué externe
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Business Partnership Facility : la 6e édition est ouverte!
Le ministre de la Coopération et de l'Action humanitaire, Franz Fayot, et Carlo Thelen, CEO/ directeur général de la Chambre de commerce, ont lancé ce 1er mars 2021 la 6e édition de la Business Partnership Facility (BPF) de la Coopération luxembourgeoise. L'événement en ligne a vu la participation de près d'une centaine de personnes, dont une grande majorité d'entrepreneurs.

La BPF est une facilité de co-financement visant à encourager le secteur privé luxembourgeois et européen à s'associer avec des partenaires dans les pays en voie de développement pour mettre en place des projets commerciaux durables.

Le cofinancement s'effectue sous forme de subvention qui peut atteindre jusqu'à 50% du budget total d'un projet, sans toutefois dépasser le seuil des 200.000 euros. Il contribue au développement et à la création d'emplois dans les pays en voie de développement et au transfert de technologies et d'expertise.

Cette année, le secteur de la "lutte contre la pandémie du Covid-19” a été ajouté à la liste des secteurs éligibles. Les voici pour rappel:
- CleanTech;
- Éco-innovation et économie circulaire;
- Espace;
- Fintech;
- HealthTech;
- Mobilité et logistique;
- Technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC).
La BPF, ses conditions d'éligibilité et ses critères d'évaluation ont été présentés par Thomas Lammar de la Direction de la coopération et de l'action humanitaire.

Franz Fayot a expliqué les synergies qui existent entre la Coopération luxembourgeoise et les entreprises. La BPF permet en effet aux pays en développement d'attirer les investissements, les technologies, et l'expertise disponibles au Luxembourg. De l'autre côté, les entreprises ont la possibilité de pénétrer de nouveaux marchés parfois trop risqués sans intervention étatique, et d'établir des partenariats mutuellement bénéfiques avec les acteurs locaux. "La stratégie de la Coopération luxembourgeoise reconnaît le rôle essentiel du secteur privé, ainsi que des ressources et des innovations qu'il peut apporter pour favoriser un développement économique synonyme de croissance inclusive et durable. Le Luxembourg facilite dès lors l'exploration d'opportunités de collaboration en vue de promouvoir la création d'emploi, le développement du secteur privé sur le terrain, et infine, la réduction de la pauvreté."

Carlo Thelen a, quant à lui, réitéré le soutien de la Chambre de commerce et a souligné l'excellente collaboration entre la Direction de la coopération et de l'action humanitaire, Lux-Development, le ministère de l'Économie et la Chambre de commerce dans le contexte de la BPF. Il a félicité l'ensemble des partenaires d'avoir réussi à maintenir l'édition 2020 du programme Business Partnership Facility, lancé à la veille du premier confinement, il y a exactement un an. "Le calendrier d'actions a été respecté à la lettre et les 5 entreprises sélectionnées ont obtenu, comme prévu, leur accord de cofinancement au mois de novembre 2020. La continuité de la BPF dans les circonstances de crise sanitaire internationale que nous connaissons est un signal fort de résilience", s'est félicité le CEO de la Chambre de commerce.

L'appel à candidatures de l'édition 2021 de la BPF est ouverte. Les informations sont disponibles au lien suivant: www.bpf.lu

Communiqué du ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes, la Direction de la coopération au développement et de l'action humanitaire et la Chambre de commerce de Luxembourg

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- 1 March
- By Ben WANDIVINIT
- LAO/029
- Education, vocationnal training and employment
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LAOS - Graduates of ‘China Ready’ Programme ready to support tourism businesses
Four representatives from the Ministry of Information Culture and Tourism (MICT) have been awarded the ‘China Ready’ Certification Award by the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (COTRI) after successfully completing the ‘China Ready’ training programme. The specialised programme, delivered online, provides tourism businesses with insights into the Chinese visitor and how to meet their cultural service and culinary needs, as well as marketing techniques to support businesses to win business from the post-COVID-19 Chinese market.

The Vocational Education and Skills Development Adviser from the Skills for Tourism Project, Mr Phouvanh Phommalangsy presented the Awards to Mme Darany Phommavongsa, Ms Bouavanh Soukhathammavong, Ms Douangchay Phothichack and Mr Lae Keoluangta, congratulating the graduates on becoming recipients of the ‘China Ready’ COTRI Certification Award. Mr Phommalangsy stated that “the ‘China Ready’ training has come at a critical and urgent time for the tourism sector as it prepares to reopen its doors to the post-COVID-19 Chinese travel market”.

Mme Darany Phommavongsa, Director General of the Tourism Management Department (Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism), receiving her China Ready’ Certification Award from the Skills for Tourism Project's Vocational Education and Skills Development Adviser, Mr Phouvanh Phommalangsy. © Lamthien Vongkhampan.

Accepting the certificate, MICT Director General of the Tourism Management Department, Mme Darany Phommavongsa said, “The impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector has been devastating. China has one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets in the world and the Chinese market may be the key to the recovery of the tourism sector in Lao PDR. This training equips the MICT to work with tourism businesses across the country to help them capitalise on this growth by training them in how to meet the specific needs of the Chinese visitor”.

“It is important that those in the tourism industry are ready in terms of how to deal with Chinese tourists,” noted Ms Bouavanh Soukhathammavong, Technical Officer, Institute of Mass Media, Culture and Tourism (IMCT). “The ‘China Ready’ Programme provides a very good professional platform helping non-Chinese individuals and businesses to better welcome, understand and engage with Chinese visitors”.

Ms Bouavanh Soukhathammavong, Technical Officer, Institute of Mass Media, Culture and Tourism (IMCT).
© Lamthien Vongkhampan.

IMCT is rolling out the China-Ready Training Program to tourism businesses across Lao PDR. Focusing mainly on four key areas – cultural awareness, industry specific information, language and promotion of the Chinese market, – participating tourism businesses will be better prepared and equipped to welcome the Chinese tourism market and meet its expectations.

Mme Darany Phommavongsa concluded, “with many challenges on the horizon for the tourism industry, including uncertainty around post-COVID-19 recovery, IMCT is urging businesses to focus on the potential that China, as the biggest outbound tourism market in the world, can offer. Tourism businesses can now prepare to become ‘China Ready’ to ensure that they will be ready to extend a warm, safe and personal welcome to Chinese visitors”. Upskilling training on ‘China Ready’ is offered to tourism businesses by IMCT with support provided by the Skills for Tourism Project.

Since 2017 the Skills for Tourism Project has been providing capacity building opportunities to over 100 staff from the Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

The Skills for Tourism Project is co-financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and is implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.
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- 16 February
- By Siphachanh THYTHAVY
- Asia Office LAO/033
- Governance
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LAOS - Increase understanding of State Inspection Authority Inspectors Anti-Corruption
Early February in the Vientiane Capital, the Support Project to Legal Teaching and Training and the Promotion of the Rule of Law Concept in Laos – Project LAO/031 and the Department of Inspection of Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) jointly conducted the State Inspection Authority Inspectors Anti-Corruption workshop for officials from selected Provincial Planning and Investment Divisions (PPID).

The workshop was chaired by Mr. Sounthone Chanthavisith, Head of Inspection of Department of Inspection, Ministry of Planning and Investment and attended by the representatives from LuxDev Regional Office, LAO/033 project and Institute for Legal Support and Technical Assistance (ILSTA).

The two-day workshop focused on the general definition of anti-corruption, forms and gift of corruption, laundering the proceeds of corruption and anti-corruption lessons learned in Laos.

During the two days, the participants shared their national and regional experiences in tackling corruption complaints. The workshop helped increase their understanding and reflected the roles and responsibilities of the attendees towards fighting corruption.

Lao government is currently improving the legislation to combat corruption through Anti-Corruption Law enforcement and the establishment of state inspection authorities at all administrative levels and sectors. Furthermore, the Law on Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, on Extradition, and the amended Penal Code are currently being enacted.

The workshop was part of the on-going effort to provide support to Strengthening the Effectiveness of Official Development Assistance (ODA) Management in Lao PDR - LAO/033 Project with the technical assistance provided by Legal Support and Technical Assistance (ILSTA) under the scope of the Support Project to Legal Teaching and Training and to Promotion of the Rule of Law Concept in Laos – LAO/031.

LAO/031 and LAO/033 projects are funded by the Government of Laos and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Planning and Investment and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

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