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2020
- 6 Novembre
- Par Ben Wandivinit
- Bureau Asie LAO/029
- Éducation, formation et emploi
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LAOS - The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant opens its doors in Vang Vieng
During a ceremony on 2 November 2020, the Vientiane Province Technical College officially launched a new tourism and hospitality practical training facility built at the Vang Vieng campus. The facility, named The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant, will provide tourism and hospitality students and the teachers with a modern training environment to improve practical skills.

Minister of Education and Sports, Mme Sengdeuane Lachanthaboune highlighted the “greater knowledge, skills, professional attitude and employability” students will gain at the new practical training facility. Photo by: Phoonsab Thevongsa

The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant is a multi-purpose building offering six guestrooms and a 32-seat restaurant, with services provided by tourism and hospitality students. The five hundred thousand EUR project started in June 2019 and took twelve months to complete.

The Skills for Tourism Project - LAO/029 is assisting the Vientiane Province Technical College to establish the proper operational systems and to build capacity of the management team to enable the college running the training facility in a sustainable manner.

The opening of the new training facility occurs at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is severely impacting Vang Vieng, a popular tourism destination in the Lao PDR. Director General of the Technical Vocational Education Department of the Ministry of Education and Sports, Mr Nouphan Outsa, stated, “Although the sector has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lao PDR will continue to aim for excellence in the provision of vocational and technical education. This training facility highlights that resolve.”

(From left to right) Luxembourg Embassy Charge d’Affaires, Mr Sam Schreiner, Minister of Education and Sports, Mme Sengdeuane Lachanthaboune and Deputy Director of Cooperation from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Mr Christian Engler, officially inaugurated the Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant on 02 November. Photo by: Phoonsab Thevongsa

Stressing the tourism sector’s proven ability to recover from adversity, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Luxembourg in Vientiane Laos, Sam Schreiner restated that the donors’ shared vision behind the practical training facility remains unchanged: “improved access to work-relevant education, highly sought-after graduates and standards on par with those expected of an attractive ASEAN travel destination.”

Christian Engler, Deputy Director of Cooperation and Head of Employment and Skills Domain, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, commented: “The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant represents an important milestone illustrating the fruitful and lasting collaboration between Lao PDR, the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, which will ultimately facilitate the resurgence of a deeply impacted but resilient tourism and hospitality sector.”

As part of her remarks at the opening ceremony, Minister of Education and Sports, Mme Sengdeuane Lachanthaboune, added that, “By giving students exposure to a real service environment at the Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant, Vientiane Province Technical College will improve the quality of education, as well as ensure that graduates of tourism and hospitality courses acquire the knowledge and skills demanded by the industry”.

The establishment of the training facility builds on the Skills for Tourism Project’s aim of improving training facilities and standards of technical vocational colleges in Lao PDR.

The Vientiane Province Technical College is currently offering two-year programmes in tourism and hospitality that lead to a Diploma in Restaurant Operations or a Diploma in Travel and Tourism. There are over 130 students who enrolled in the academic year 2019, with a similar amount expected to enrol in 2020. The college also offers shorter courses in tourism and hospitality that lead to C1 accreditation.

The Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant expects to welcome Vang Vieng locals and tourists taking advantage of the Lao Thiao Lao domestic tourism marketing campaign and the soon to be inaugurated expressway.

The construction and fitting out of the Academy Training Hotel and Restaurant are co-financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.
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- 3 Novembre
- Par Manon LIENARD
- Bureau Niger NIG/801
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NIGER - Formation professionnelle : Rencontre avec les maîtres artisans
Pour une meilleure insertion des jeunes dans le tissu économique de leur région, le Projet d’appui à la formation et à l’insertion professionnelle des jeunes filles et garçons des régions de Zinder et d’Agadez (A- FIP, NIG/801) a opté pour deux modes d’insertion :
- l’insertion à travers un emploi salarié ; et
- l’insertion à travers l’appui à la conception et à la mise en œuvre de projets de micro-entreprise collectifs et individuels (subvention (40%) adossée à un crédit (53 %) et avec un apport personnel (7%)).
L’insertion des jeunes à travers un emploi salarié consiste à faciliter aux jeunes formés, arrivés au terme de leur stage dans les ateliers ou entreprises, le processus d’insertion dans ces mêmes structures en tant qu’employés salariés. Cette occupation leur permet non seulement de se fixer, de se perfectionner et de disposer d’un revenu régulier mais aussi d’acquérir la maturité requise pour initier leurs propres projets d’entreprise. Ce mode d’insertion fait partie intégrante des contrats signés entre le Fonds d’appui à la formation professionnelle et à l’apprentissage (FAFPA) et les opérateurs de formations dans lesquelles ces derniers s’engagent entre autres à assurer, à travers les ateliers de stages appuyés en équipements, un emploi salarié à au moins 50 % de jeunes finalistes des formations. Il est formalisé à travers un contrat de prestation signé en début d’insertion, lequel précise le mode de rémunération entre l’employeur et le jeune formé.

Nous sommes allés à la rencontre de maîtres artisans qui ont embauché des jeunes dans leur atelier. La plupart exercent leur activité depuis de longues années et ont déjà eu à former de nombreux stagiaires. Un des avantages principaux du projet, pour eux, est que ces apprentis sont restés dans leurs ateliers à la fin de la période de formation (au moins la moitié d’entre eux), leur fournissant une main d’œuvre formée, comme ils le souhaitent. Comme en témoigne Abdoul-Aziz Bouhari Anzi, vulcanisateur : « J’avais déjà l’habitude de recruter des apprentis avant le projet, mais après leur stage, ils ne restent pas chez moi. Le projet NIG/801 est un projet innovant et bien réfléchi. Il nous a permis non seulement d’avoir les jeunes en stage mais aussi la possibilité de garder d’autres avec nous pour développer notre micro-entreprise. »

Abdoul-Aziz Bouhari Anzi, vulcanisateur, et ses employés © LuxDev

L’autre avantage non négligeable a été le relèvement du plateau technique de ces ateliers pour fournir aux jeunes les meilleures conditions d’apprentissage. Toujours selon Monsieur Bouhari Anzi : « Faire partie du projet m’a permis de renforcer mes capacités entrepreneuriales à travers l’augmentation des postes de travail (acquisition d’un nouveau compresseur et petits outillages nécessaires à mon activité de vulcanisation, etc..), l’augmentation de la main d’œuvre qualifiée (meilleures prestations) et mon encadrement technique en tant que maître d’apprentissage. De plus, participer aux réunions organisées dans le cadre de la mise en œuvre du projet NIG/801 m’a permis de rencontrer mes confrères de la corporation. Cela a été aussi une fierté pour moi d’être reconnu par le FAFPA et la Chambre des métiers de l’artisanat du Niger (CMANI) comme étant un maître d’apprentissage. Pour conclure, je peux dire qu’à travers le projet NIG/801, j’ai eu une opportunité de bien développer ma petite entreprise et je peux travailler dans de bonnes conditions. Je sensibilise mes camarades de la corporation que le fait d’accepter les jeunes en stage dans notre atelier est une issue de promotion de l’entrepreneuriat ».

Amina Awais, formatrice en couture, fait également état de l’importance de l’aide apportée par le projet et également des rencontres avec les autres artisans du secteur : « J’ai choisi de participer à la mise en œuvre du projet NIG/801 afin de contribuer à l’insertion des jeunes et aussi profiter de l’occasion pour renouveler mes équipements et avoir l’opportunité de recruter quelques apprentis. Travailler avec les projets renforce aussi nos capacités à travers les échanges entre les couturiers de la commune. Cela nous donne l’occasion de nous retrouver ensemble et renforce notre activité ».

Amina Awais, formatrice en couture dame © LuxDev

Ali Gonda fait, quant à lui, état du manque de main d’œuvre auquel est confronté son secteur (électricité auto) et de la pertinence des filières choisies pour l’apprentissage des jeunes : « La filière électricité auto est une filière avec un besoin important en main d’œuvre qualifiée. C’est une filière qui emploie de la main d’œuvre des pays de la sous-région (Bénin, Togo, Nigéria, etc..) parce que la main d’œuvre locale n’est pas disponible en quantité et qualité suffisante. Vu le développement rapide des technologies automobiles, les véhicules ont plus tendance de nos jours à être électriques que mécaniques, d’où le besoin en main d’œuvre qualifiée ».

Ali Gonda, électricien voiture, et ses employés © LuxDev

Le Projet NIG/801, financé par le Fonds fiduciaire d’urgence pour l’Afrique de l’Union européenne et mis en œuvre par LuxDev, a déjà atteint des résultats probants tant en matière de formation que d’insertion directe :
- 347 actions de formation de trois et six mois ont permis de doter environ 6 592 jeunes, dont 41,6 % de filles, de compétences professionnelles leur permettant de s'insérer dans le tissu économique de leur région ;
- 347 centres de formation ont été dotés de matières d’œuvre, d’outillages et d’équipements offrant ainsi aux jeunes des conditions d’apprentissage et de travail améliorées ;
- 891 ateliers des maîtres artisans ont été équipés, améliorant ainsi le plateau technique des différents ateliers ayant accueilli les jeunes en stages pratiques et en insertion directe ;
- 1 268 jeunes, dont 450 filles (35,5%), sont insérés à travers un emploi salarié en rapport avec leur domaine de formation (données de la dernière enquête sur l’insertion réalisée en novembre 2019).
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- 3 Novembre
- Par Mone SYSAVATH
- Bureau Asie LAO/029 LAO/027
- Éducation, formation et emploi Santé
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Luxembourg and Thailand International Cooperation Agency inks Partnership Agreement on Human Resource Development Cooperation for LAOS
The Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency and the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) have established a long-term partnership focusing on the strengthening of human capital development in on Lao PDR. The Letter of Understanding (LoU) signing ceremony took place in Bangkok on 20 October represented by H.E. Jean-Paul Senninger, Ambassador of Luxembourg to Thailand on behalf of the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Ms Pattarat Hongtong, Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

H.E. Jean-Paul Senninger, Ambassador of Luxembourg to Thailand (left) and Ms Pattarat Hongtong Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo by: TICA

The LoU aims to establish a development and cooperation framework which focuses on:
- improving the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of projects or programmes in Lao PDR by combining TICA’s and LuxDev’s technical expertise in complementary fields;
- developing and sharing good practices and lessons learned within the framework of human capital development in Lao PDR, particularly in the fields of public health, local/rural development and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Based on TICA and LuxDev’s joint fact-finding mission in Laos in November 2019, certain activities will be launched immediately in late 2020 including:
- technical support and training for the Lao-Luxembourg Health Sector Support Programme - LAO/027; and
- twinning of TVET colleges with Thai tourism-related training institutes for the benefit of the Skills for Tourism porject - LAO/029.
Photo by: Luxembourg Embassy in Bangkok

The agreement will cover the entire duration of the next Indicative Cooperation Programme between Lao PDR and Luxembourg (2021 – 2025) and will end on 31 November 2025. Both parties will review and update the collaboration annually in order to take stock and capitalise on good practice and update the planned collaborations for subsequent years.

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- 2 Novembre
- Par Mone SYSAVATH
- Bureau Asie LAO/031 LAO/033
- Gouvernance
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LAOS - Officials from the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Planning and Investment learn results-based Monitoring and Evaluation
Between July and August 2020, LuxDev Regional Office in Vientiane Laos, jointly with the Support Programme for Legal Teaching and Training and to the Promotion of the Rule of Law Concept in Laos, LAO/031 and the Strengthening the Effectiveness of Official Development Assistance (ODA) Management in LAO PDR programme, LAO /033, conducted a set of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) workshops for the Department of International Cooperation (DIC), Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). These governmental agencies are the key national partners for the above-mentioned projects.

Group work on the results chain quiz of project LAO/033, © LuxDev

The workshop focused on:
- basic understanding of Monitoring and Evaluation (concepts and the relationship);
- Monitoring and Evaluation within LuxDev (including guides and result-based reporting).
The workshop was chaired by the Vice Minister of Justice and attended by Director Generals, Deputy Director Generals, representatives from line departments, divisions, cabinet office, District Justice Office and Provincial Justice Department in Bolikhamxay and Khammouan provinces.

Participant’s reflection after the workshop, © LuxDev

During and after the workshop we spoke with Mr. Sysomphorn Phetdaoheuang, Deputy Director General of DIC/MPI and Ms. Saikit Visisomebath, Deputy Director General of DIC/MoJ:

Question: Why does this M&E workshop matter for your departments?

Answer:

"We are really keen to understand and learn the basic and principles of M&E for results. We, as a key coordinating agency on behalf of the government in mobilizing Official Development Assistance (ODA), should know what are we focusing on and what we aim to deliver. What exactly are we trying to achieve? The most important thing is how we will tell whether our support is working.

Lack of monitoring tools and reliable data are ongoing challenges in our legal sector and so is ODA, when it comes to annual reviews and reporting to the government and the National Assembly.

As you might know, our country has signed up for many international treaties and development agendas, including the 2030 Agenda and more importantly, the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC). As a part of our international commitment, having proper monitoring tools help us to systematically track progress and demonstrate the impact of our activities.

This M&E workshop allows us to gain some basic understanding and answers to the above-mentioned questions. Furthermore, while in the past we have read many project design documents, terms of reference of project evaluations, we did not fully know what to look for in those documents and how to provide good advice to our senior managers and constructive feedback to our development partners.

Question: Could you tell us three things that you’ve learned from this workshop?

Answer:

The three key take away from this M&E workshop are:
- understanding what is the result chain or intervention logic;
- understanding what is M&E and its relationship; and
- understanding the concept of indicators in terms of what we should consider as a good project indicator.
Question: Could you tell us one specific tool or strategy that you will use right away after the workshop when you come back to your office?

Answer:

The specific tool that I will use right after this workshop is the result chain concept which I think is particularly important for the project planning. If we understand it well and get the logic right, it would be easy for us to monitor the progress and meaningfully assess to what extent we are moving towards our project objectives.

The workshop facilitator elaborates the results chain concept, © LuxDev

Ms. Saikit Visisomebath, Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation, MoJ explains the different stages of the project LAO/031 results chain, © LuxDev

Participants from Department of International Cooperation, Department of Inspection-MPI, Department of International Organisation - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Lao Securities Commission Office, © LuxDev

M&E is increasingly perceived as important for key line ministries who are responsible for Official Development Assistance projects in Laos, as the country has signed up for many international treaties and development agendas, including Global Partnership for Effectiveness Development Co-operation and the Sustainable Development Goals. Lao PDR was among the earliest countries to localize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and integrate them into its Eighth National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) in 2016, with around 60 % of the 160 NSEDP indicators linked to the SDGs.
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- 16 Octobre
- Par Vildane Minci
- KSV/019
- Gouvernance
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KOSOVO-Human Capacity Development Facility (HCDF) after the Covid-19 lockdown
Immediately after the lockdown, the activities interrupted by Covid-19 continued and others were initiated. Due to the situation and preventive measures in force, activities were organized respecting social distancing and through online platforms.

Training of Kosovo Business Registration Agency (KBRA). Central and municipal staff on the use of the electronic business registry system.

The interrupted training “Enhance capacities of Public Finance Management Coordination Group (PFMCG) to draft the Public Finance Management Reform Strategy (PFMRS) related annual reports”, as the third pillar of Public Administration Reform provided to the Ministry of Finance and Transfers has continued and was concluded in July.

Technical assistance on the European Corporate Governance Code on the chapter of Company Law was implemented and a follow-up training will be provided later on when the circumstances allow.

Several training sessions on Network Security, Linux, EMC were provided in the chapters of :
- Justice;
- Freedom and Security; and
- Public Procurement for the beneficiaries from the Kosovo Police and Public Procurement Regulatory Commission (PPRC).
Contracts with different experts have been signed for training and technical assistance in six different Acquis Chapters activities. Close coordination with the beneficiaries is currently being undertaken in order to start implementation as soon as possible.

The "Technical Assistance in the Context of European Integration of Kosovo" programme, KSV/019, is funded by the Luxembourg Cooperation and implemented by LuxDev.
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- 16 Octobre
- Par Renea Bula
- KSV/020
- Éducation, formation et emploi
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KOSOVO – Development and implementation of 13 different profile qualifications

Project KSV/020 developed the qualification sets for 13 different profiles identified as a priority in the manufacturing, construction, health and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sectors. The Ministry of Education and Science (MES) devised a strategic plan for the start of the new academic year and, with the support of the Project, achieved to start the implementation of 10 of the 13 profiles in selected Vocational Education and Training (VET) schools.

The process of creating qualification sets includes the development of occupational standards, the respective and aligned core curricula and lastly, the teaching and learning materials (TLM). The Project managed to effectively coordinate the virtual working sessions, ensuring that the qualification sets match international standards.

Qualification Sets Development

The profiles, in the sector of manufacturing and construction are:
- metalworker;
- electrical installer;
- water, sewage & heating and air conditioning installer; and
- building insulation technician.
The profiles in the sector of health are:
- professional nurse;
- professional midwife;
- medical laboratory technician; and
- dental assistant.
The profiles in the sector of ICT are:
- graphic design,
- IT system technician;
- IT business support technician;
- interactive media designer; and
- application developer.
The Project followed a methodology that built on the one that was used for the establishment of the two Centres of Competence (CoC) in Ferizaj and Prizren, increasing peer reviewing and cooperation with the private sector at local and international level.

The manufacturing, construction, and health profile qualifications are to be implemented at a national level, following a Ministerial decision. Looking at the 5 ICT profiles, two profiles (IT System Technician and IT Business Support Technician) are being implemented in seven of the Project’s supported schools, while the others will be introduced in the following years.

These achievements have been very motivating for the project team. The good collaboration with the different beneficiaries and stakeholders are what has made these achievements possible.

The "Support to Vocational Education and Training (VET) Reform in Kosovo" programme, KSV/020, is funded by the Luxembourg Cooperation and implemented by LuxDev.
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- 16 Octobre
- Par Artan Sadiku
- KSV/017
- Santé
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KOSOVO-Public services protecting from impoverishment
The General Hospital of Gjilan, being one of the main beneficiaries of the "Health Sector Support Programme in Kosovo (Phase II)", has worked on improving the quality of its services during the project course. The hospital got a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner, which was considered as a major benefit for the diagnostic services of the hospital.

CT Scanner

The hospital has invested in the facilities hosting the scanner, in order to improve this service, meet international standards, improve quality and safety, and increase patient satisfaction. Around 1,000 CT scans have been performed, since the beginning of 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the cancellation of elective services, meaning that the scanner has not yet reached its full operational capability.

Despite the pandemic, the overburdened hospital staff found time to work on activities improving the quality and safety of the General Hospital of Gjilan, in order to fulfil the Quality Improvement Plan.

The "Health Sector Support Programme in Kosovo (Phase II)", KSV/017, is funded by the Luxembourg Cooperation and implemented by LuxDev.
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- 14 Octobre
- Par Ben Wandivinit
- LAO/029
- Éducation, formation et emploi
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LAOS - Handicraft Grants Boost Lao Artisans’ Skills
As highlighted by the recently launched Lao Handicraft Festival in Vientiane, preserving and promoting local handicrafts and culture is more important than ever in the times of Covid-19. To contribute to those efforts, the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), which is implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, supported handicraft-related enterprises in providing training to artisans in their existing supply chain, also with the goal to increase producers’ income.

Thirteen handicraft enterprise applicants qualified for grants that averaged €9,000, their common training goals being production techniques, and for artisans to understand what the market wants.

Ma Te Sai, one of the grantees, is focusing on sewing, for instance. “I want our 20 trainees to finish products at home, not only to earn more income, but so that we save on sewing elsewhere,” said Managing Director Emi Weir. She added that Ms Khambang, an experienced seamstress, conducts the training to ensure quality, as they export and sell online.

Production methods, product demand, and quality also guide trainings by other grant recipients. TaiBaan Crafts Founder Shui-Meng Ng said she gathered artisan groups from several provinces to share their experiences. “Participants discuss and demonstrate their various dyeing techniques and materials.” Additional sessions on quality control rely on feedback from overseas buyers, so participants can understand quality standards, size specifications, expectations on colours and consistency.

The export market also drives Gaebi Studio’s training. “Our current focus is on designing products that target middle and higher classes, both in Laos and internationally,” said Founder/Designer Shin Yoonsun. Gaebi’s training additionally stresses basic business operations with a focus on all operations, from production planning and design to market access and business operations. Achieving standardisation can however prove to be difficult for products that are particularly characterised by their uniqueness. “Electric sewing machines are not very popular in the villages, so they create products made by weaving without them, and based on the villagers’ skills.”

Other grantees, such as Khang Lao Handicrafts, divided training into different categories. “Our sessions help artisans produce better quality items and adjust their work to new market trends and demands,” said Founder Viengkham Nanthavongdouangsy. Khang Lao quality-control training covers all aspects of production from raw materials, yarn, and dying through packaging.

Artisans weaving textiles together during a training organised by Khang Lao. © LuxDev

Much like their training foci, the selected handicraft enterprises’ product lines differ. While TaiBaan’s range aims to suit urban and overseas buyers seeking household items, Ma Te Sai’s training pinpoints products such as masks, bags, Lao sinhs and simple western-style clothing, with a focus on design, colour, and marketing. “We want them to understand what customers like Ma Te Sai expect, and how we can co-create products based on traditional patterns and processes,” Ms Weir explained.

TaiBaan uses the fabric to make home decor items, cushion covers, blankets, and placemats. “We do not change artisans’ woven designs or techniques, but select designs and motifs more suited to urban buyers.” Khang Lao’s founder Ms Viengkham agrees, “Lao textiles are rich in production techniques, and present a variety of unique traditional motifs.”

The grant programme mitigates Covid-19’s impact by adjusting its timeline, while accounting for village’s farming schedule. Even though handicraft production continues at lower levels, retail shops see rewards in investing in their rural supply chain. Artisans are learning new dyeing and sewing techniques, and quality control. They better understand market demand and are adapting their products that remain based on traditional skills and designs.

The Handicraft Skills for Tourism Small Grants Facility is financed by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029) which is funded by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.
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- 14 Octobre
- Par Ben Wandivinit
- LAO/029
- Éducation, formation et emploi
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LAOS- Lao Thiao Lao Campaign Launched to Boost Domestic Tourism
The Lao Thiao Lao marketing campaign kicked off on 11 September at a launch event in the Vientiane Capital, showing how the public and private sector are coming together to boost domestic tourism against the backdrop of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

This public-private partnership brings together the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT), the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and leading tourism and hospitality businesses to support the promotion of domestic tourism, with the LNCCI taking the lead with its implementation.

“This is a unique way in which the public and private sectors have joined together to co-finance a tourism marketing campaign” said LNCCI board member Inthy Deuansavanh, who is spearheading the Lao Thiao Lao campaign for the LNCCI.

Mr Deuansavanh, who is the founder of Green Discovery Laos and the Inthira Hospitality Group, explained, “The campaign will be a largely online, aiming to promote some of the great special offers that are currently available and inspire young Lao people’s sense of adventure to visit some of the amazing destinations around the country”.

The Lao Thiao Lao campaign comes with its own dedicated Facebook page.

Working with key influencers and utilising online advertising and destination promotion videos, the campaign will also feature online competitions to engage and inspire with prizes including free holidays to some of the featured destinations.

The Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), a project implemented by the MoES and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, is providing the initial financial support for the Lao Thiao Lao campaign. The LNCCI aims to raise additional funds from the private sector through a range of sponsorship and partnership packages to encourage businesses to contribute financial and in-kind donations towards the campaign.

While boosting domestic tourism will be crucial in supporting tourism and hospitality businesses, Mr Nouphanh Outsa, the Director General of the Technical and Vocational Education Department at the MoES, also emphasised, “a strong tourism sector is imperative to provide employment opportunities for students undertaking tourism and hospitality studies across the country.”

Raising awareness of the amazing destinations to be visited in Lao PDR is one of the main goals of the campaign.

Mr. Bounlap Duangphoumy, Deputy Director General of the Tourism Marketing Department at MICT added that “the Lao Thiao Lao marketing campaign is a key component of the support being provided to tourism and hospitality businesses to help them survive until international tourism rebounds again”.

Print and broadcast media, such as prominent newspapers and magazines as well as radio will provide feature stories, cover shots, photo essays related to the Lao Thiao Lao campaign, and/or advertising space. The LNCCI has already enlisted The Laotian Times, Una Studio, Tholakhong, Muan.la, Lao Youth Radio and Mahason Magazine, with more expected to sign on.

LNCCI has partnered with RDK Group to bring technical expertise to implement the Lao Thiao Lao campaign with dedicated Facebook (@laothiaolao) and Instagram pages launched last week. The campaign will run from September 2020 to January 2021 with the possibility of extending further into 2021.

Businesses and organisations interested in sponsorship or partnership packages should contact Ms. Khambang Inkham at the LNCCI on 021 453312 directly for all enquiries.

With the COVID-19 situation bringing difficult times to tourism and hospitality businesses in Lao PDR, the Lao Thiao Lao campaign is supported by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), which is financed by the Governments of Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland.
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- 9 Octobre
- Par LAO/030 Programme
- Bureau Asie LAO/030
- Développement socio-économique
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LAOS - Providing access to appropriate and affordable financial services in hard-to-reach rural communities
With the emergence of commercially-oriented delivery of financial services to economically active poor, it has been a challenge to penetrate remote rural upland communities considering costs and risks involved. Thus, the majority of micro and rural finance service providers gravitate their operations within urban centers and district capitals. The same phenomenon has been observed in the Lao PDRs micro and rural finance market.

The Lao Microfinance Associasion (LMFA) provincial coordinator for Vientiane province, Ms. Sisavanh Sayodoum, is providing support to the Village Credit Committee (VCC) Manager of Ban NaMai, Muang Fuang District in explaining the VCC regulations, VCC membership criteria on accessing loan including the loan product features with the villagers who have come to the Village Credit Scheme (VSC) opening and loan registration. This activity is a very important part of the VCS opening to ensure that everyone understands the VCS regulation, and loan conditions and requirements. The VCC is responsible for managing and administering the VCS including enforcing its regulations. It is composed of a Manager, an Accountant and a Cashier, © LuxDev.

The Local development programme for Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane Province, LAO/030, which supports poverty reduction in target villages in four provinces of Lao PDR, is taking this challenge head-on to develop a village-level rural finance delivery model. One support mechanism is the so-called “Village Development Fund” (VDF), which is allocated to and managed by each village. The VDF process supports participation, local democracy, improved governance and public services. It can be used for two main purposes: Village Grant Scheme (VGS) and Village Credit Scheme (VCS).

The VCCs with the support of the LMFA implementing team Field Assistant doing the loan registration process at Ban San Sai, Muang Fuang District. Loan registration allows the VCS to determine how many wanted to take loan, how much each need. Each of those that register for a loan are then asked to fill out a loan application,© LuxDev.

The VCS is designed to be a sustainable village-owned micro and rural financial services delivery structure. It provides affordable access to credit for economic activities including, primarily, agricultural production and in some cases, small family-owned business and trade activities. Aside from that, it provides a risk management mechanism for rural households by providing financial support when an emergency occurs. The VCS also give its members the opportunity to earn dividends from its operation through their fixed contributions. According to Mr. Peter Hansen, Chief Technical Advisor of LAO/030, the VDF regulations allows for up to 60% of the VDF to be used for the village credit activities and at least 40% must be available for the grant activities that benefit the poorest households.

Not all target villages will establish VCS, depending on the need and feasibility of setting up a credit scheme in the village. If the village chooses not to establish any VCS, the full amount of the VDF will be used for the grant mechanism.

To bring in international experience and practice while providing local support to capacitate the villages, LuxDev is collaborating with ADA, a Luxembourg Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) supporting financial inclusion worldwide and partnering with local microfinance networks like the Lao Microfinance Association (LMFA). Under the LAO/030 programme, ADA collaborates with LMFA to support the VCS establishment within 3 provinces (Bolikhamxay, Bokeo and Vientiane Province).

The VCC members at Ban NaMai, Muang Fuang District with the LMFA National Coordinator, Mr. Sangkhy Vongsanith, giving them coaching session on the Loan assessment process. Prior to this, the VCC participated in a 4-day training which covered the loan assessment methodology, but needed a follow up session to endure their capacity to do the loan assessment during the actual VCC opening day,© LuxDev.

In September 2020, the LAO/030 programme, through the efforts of the Project Support Office (PSO) in Vientiane Province, headed by the International Project Adviser, Ms. Emma Aguinot, and the LMFA implementing team with its provincial coordinator, Ms. Sisavanh Sayoudom, has successfully initiated the operation of VCS in 12 villages in Muang Fuang—one of the four target districts within the Vientiane province. “This is the first batch of 12 VCS that LMFA will establish in the province, out of the target of 38 VCS in the province”, as cited by Ms. Pamouane Phetthany, LMFA's Executive Director.

The LMFA, in organizing the VCS, follows a well-standardized process with 15 defined stages developed within LAO/030 under the technical guidance of the programme’s Rural Finance Expert, Mr. Sommay Vilayphan. In addition, to ensure that there is a sustainability mechanism, a Network Support Organization (NSO) will be organized to bring together the VCSs and providing them with a framework in which to operate as well as technical support services.

The Local development programme for Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane Province, LAO/030 is funded by the Luxembourg Cooperation and implemented by LuxDev.
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