Lao public procurement trainings strengthen local capacity under the Local development programme

To enhance transparency and efficiency in implementing local development initiatives, the Finance departments of four targeted provinces – Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Khammouan and Vientiane Province – collaborated with LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, to successfully organise a series of Lao public procurement trainings under the Local development programme.

These trainings aimed to strengthen the capacity of government staff and local partners involved in managing Delegation Agreements for Funds and Implementation, as well as Implementation Agreements. Such agreements empower local authorities and communities to execute development activities through four primary funding mechanisms : the Village Development Fund, the Infrastructure Development Fund, the Governance Strengthening Fund, and the Nutrition, Education, and Disaster Risk Reduction Fund.

Participants included staff from the Finance Department at both provincial and district levels, implementation partners and LuxDev technical advisers. Throughout the sessions, attendees deepened their understanding of Lao PDR’s public procurement laws and procedures, as well as LuxDev’s requirements for requesting and receiving non-objections. The training combined theoretical and practical components, addressing key legal frameworks such as the Law on Public Procurement, its Instruction, and the Procurement Manual. Group discussions and case studies enabled participants to apply their knowledge to real-world procurement scenarios.

Through these trainings, the Local development programme has further enhanced the capacity of local institutions to manage public funds transparently and effectively, fostering more accountable, inclusive and sustainable development across the four provinces.

The Local development programme is co-financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland. It is jointly implemented by the Lao Ministry of Finance (formerly the Ministry of Planning and Investment) and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.