| It has been a very busy month for AustCham Lao! Of course the Annual Ball has been the absolute highlight of the month, and possibly the highlight of my time as Executive Director. We will share more information about the ball once the pictures and videos have been edited. For now I will just say that it was a great evening. Of course it wouldn't have been possible without the support of our event Gold Sponsors: ANZ, Linfox, Phu Bia Mining, Crowne Plaza, RMA and our event Silver Sponsors: Coca Cola and Lao Brewery. I want to thank each and every one of you who attended.
In addition to the Ball, we are also very pleased to announce a new membership tier for Australian Alumni, which can read more about below. We also have new members to welcome, and some exciting news from our members. |
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[English below]
ສະພາການຄ້າ ອົດສະຕຣາລີ ປະຈຳ ສປປລາວ (AustCham Lao) ມີຄວາມຍິນດີທີ່ຈະປະກາດ ຊຸດການເປັນສະມາຊິກໃໝ່ ຂອງພວກເຮົາ ພ້ອມທັງໃຫ້ສ່ວນຫຼຸດແກ່ ອະດີດນັກສຶກສາລາວ - ອົດສະຕຣາລີ. ພວກເຮົາກໍາລັງຊອກຫາ ອະດີດນັກສຶກສາລາວ - ອົດສະຕຣາລີ ເພື່ອສະໝັກເຂົ້າເປັນ ສະມາຊິກໃໝ່ຂອງພວກເຮົາໃນລະດັບທີ່ມີຊື່ວ່າ “ສະມາຊິກອະດີດນັກສຶກສາລາວ - ອົດສະຕຣາລີ”. ການສະໝັກເຂົ້າເປັນສະມາຊິກ ອະດີດນັກສຶກສາລາວ - ອົດສະຕຣາລີ ຂອງພວກເຮົາ ແມ່ນເປີດຮັບສະໝັກໃຫ້ແກ່ນັກສຶກສາລາວທຸກຄົນທີ່ໄດ້ສຶກສາຢູ່ປະເທດ ອົດສະຕຣາລີ ໃນທຸກໆສາຂາຮຽນ ຫຼື ຜູ້ທີ່ໄດ້ຮັບການສຶກສາ ຈາກຜູ້ໃຫ້ທຶນຂອງອົດສະຕຣາລີ ເຊີ່ງກວມເອົາ ລະດັບມະຫາວິທະຍາໄລ, ສຳເລັດການສຶກສາໄລຍະສັ້ນທີ່ປະເທດ ອົດສະຕຣາລີ, ລາວ ຫຼື ສໍາເລັດການສຶກສາຜ່ານທາງອອນລາຍ. ການສະໝັກເຂົ້າເປັນ ສະມາຊິກ ອະດີດນັກສຶກສາລາວ - ອົດສະຕຣາລີ ແມ່ນເປີດຮັບໃຫ້ກັບທຸກພາກ, ທຸກຂະແໜງການເຊັ່ນ: ພາກເອກະຊົນ, ລັດຖະບານ, ອົງການທີ່ບໍ່ຫວັງຜົນກຳໄລ ຫຼື ອົງການຈັດຕັ້ງທາງສັງຄົມຕ່າງໆ. ການສະໝັກເຂົ້າເປັນສະມາຊິກ ອະດີດນັກສຶກສາລາວ - ອົດສະຕຣາລີ ແມ່ນຈະໄດ້ຮັບຜົນປະໂຫຍດຕ່າງໆເຊັ່ນດຽວກັນກັບ ການເປັນສະມາຊິກໃນ ລະດັບສ່ວນບຸກຄົນ ຂອງພວກເຮົາ ແຕ່ວ່າ ຈະໄດ້ຮັບສ່ວນຫຼຸດໃນລາຄາທີ່ຫຼາຍກວ່າ ພຽງແຕ່ 20$ ເທົ່ານັ້ນ (ຫຼຸດຈາກລາຄາມາດຕະຖານຂອງ ການເປັນສະມາຊິກໃນ ລະດັບສ່ວນບຸກຄົນ ໃນລາຄາ 80$). ສຳລັບຜົນປະໂຫຍດທີ່ທ່ານຈະໄດ້ຮັບແມ່ນລວມມີ ການເຂົ້າຮ່ວມງານ networking events ຟີຣ ແລະ ໄດ້ຮັບສ່ວນຫຼຸດລາຄາຈາກ ຫຼັກສູດການຝຶກອົບຮົມ ແລະ ງານສໍາມະນາອື່ນໆ. ພວກເຮົາຂໍເຊີນຊວນທ່ານ ມາຮ່ວມກັນ ຂະຫຍາຍເຄືອຂ່າຍທີ່ເປັນມືອາຊີບຂອງທ່ານ ໂດຍການເຂົ້າຮ່ວມ ເປັນສະມາຊິກ ສະພາການຄ້າຕ່າງປະເທດຂອງພວກເຮົາທີ່ມີມາແຕ່ດົນ ແລະ ມີຊື່ສຽງໃນລາວ! ນອກຈາກຜົນປະໂຫຍດນີ້ແລ້ວ, ພວກເຮົາກໍ່ຈະສືບຕໍ່ເຮັດວຽກຮ່ວມກັບ ສະຖາບັນ ລາວ - ອົດສະຕຣາລີ ເພື່ອສະໜອງ ການຈັດງານ, ງານສຳມະນາ ແລະ ຫົວຂໍ້ການຝຶກອົບຮົມຕ່າງໆໃຫ້ກັບ ສະມາຊິກ ອະດີດນັກສຶກສາລາວ - ອົດສະຕຣາລີ ອີກດ້ວຍ. ທ່ານສາມາດຕິດຕໍ່ຫາພວກເຮົາໄດ້ທີ່ ອີເມວ: austcham@austchamlao.org AustCham Lao is pleased to announce a discounted new membership package, exclusively for Australian Alumni! We are looking for Australian Alumni to join AustCham Lao in the newly created membership tier of ‘Alumni Member’. The Alumni Membership Tier will be open to any Lao citizen who has studied in Australia or undertaken any course run by an Australian Education Provider. This includes university degrees and short courses completed in Australia, Laos, or online. AustCham Alumni Members can be from any sector, including private sector, government, NGO, or Civil Society Organisations. Alumni Members will receive all the perks of individual membership, but at a heavily discounted rate of $20 USD (reduced from the standard $80 USD for Individual Members). This includes complimentary tickets to all our networking events, and discounted member rates to our training courses, seminars, workshops, and breakfast briefings. Grow your professional network by joining the oldest and most prestigious foreign chamber of commerce in Laos! In addition to these benefits AustCham will also be working with the Laos Australia Institute to offer events exclusively for Australian Alumni. |
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| Mate to Mate in Lao language. We are talking with Sithixay Ketthavong, CA-Admin Director at Beerlao. We will hear from him about what strategies Lao Brewery Company is putting in place for their ‘CSR’. |
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| Breakfast Briefing: "Moving to Carbon Neutral" | 
| Sep 21, 2022
(8:30 AM - 9:30 AM)
(GMT+7) |
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| Crowne Plaza Vienti...
Vientiane, Vientiane Pr... |
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| Industry leaders address the processes and steps to be taken in reducing emissions, and share their experiences of moving to carbon neutral offices and projects
Objectives & outcomes - Outline the benefits and potential pitfalls of moving towards carbon neutral in Laos
- Outline the steps required to move towards carbon neutral.
- Create synergies between international and local businesses operating in the domestic and international market
- Showcase the opportunities for going carbon neutral
Target Audience The event will be open to AustCham and Am-Lao-Biz Members and the general public. Am-Lao-Biz is specifically targeting organisations that are interested in reducing carbon emissions with the goal of having 100 organisations begin the journey towards becoming carbon neutral. | |
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| NRL Grand Final | | Sponsored by Linfox Logistics Lao Company Limited |
| Oct 2, 2022
(2 PM - 7 PM)
(GMT+7) |
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| Sticky Fingers
Laos |
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| Join us at Sticky Fingers for the 2022 NRL Grand Final, sponsored by Linfox. We will have free flowing beer and wine, as well Sticky Finger's Australian inspired finger food. Spaces are limited to make sure you register early to secure your spot. | |
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| October Sundowner - Sponsored by Milsearch Lao EOD Sole Company Ltd |
| Oct 12, 2022
(6 PM - 9 PM)
(GMT+7) |
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| Sticky Fingers Rest...
Vientiane |
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| Please join us on Wednesday the 12th of October for our monthly Sundowner Networking Event.
This month our Sundowner is being hosted by AustCham Silver Sponsor; Milsearch, and held at Sticky Fingers, another AustCham Member. Milsearch is an Australian family‐owned company with over 30 years’ experience as an international service provider in the remediation of land and offshore areas contaminated by Explosive Remnants of War/Unexploded Ordnance. Milsearch have been operating in Laos since 1993 and have over 30 years’ explosive incident free experience.
Please join us on Wednesday the 12th of October at Sticky Fingers, to learn a bit more about Milsearch and the great work that they do.
Spaces are strictly limited, so please register early to ensure your space. | |
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AustCham Lao is pleased to introduce our new Bronze Sponsor, BMW Laos - Premium Auto Laos, part of the LanXang Import & Export Co., Ltd. Premium Auto Laos is the official Importer and Distributor in Lao PDR for the distribution and sales of BMW Vehicles, Genuine BMW parts, providing BMW Service. Premium Auto Laos is also responsible for MINI service, repair and maintenance of MINI Vehicles and Genuine MINI Parts.
Premium Auto Laos opened the first and only official BMW SHOWROOM and Authorized Importer in Laos. The showroom opened in 2014 in Nongbon Village, and can accommodate up to 21 BMW vehicles. Premium Auto Laos offers a range of BMW Vehicles as well as After Service Care, BMW Lifestyle and Accessories, as well as BSI and BRI Packages. |
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| AustCham is pleased to welcome a returning member, RDK Group . RDK Group is a national full-service agency bursting with young talent and led by industry professionals with years of experience in media, events, and the digital sphere. Their team has forged close relations with state and independent media and journalists, influencers, and social media leaders to ensure your business is at the forefront of any platform.
Their clients span businesses and brands across a broad range of industries both locally and internationally, becoming our long-term partners in delivering campaigns and services that are relevant and drive results. |
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| Welcome to our new member VCC SEA - Vector Control Consulting |
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AustCham Lao would like to welcome it’s new member VCC SEA - Vector Control Consulting (Vector Control Consultancy, South East Asia, SOLE CO., LTD). VCC offers expertise on mosquito vector borne disease control in the Lao PDR and South East Asia. They also import and sell specific, proven efficient mosquito traps to protect individual households, companies, hotels, resorts and important public areas against re-emerging diseases such as Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya transmitted by mosquitoes (https://lnkd.in/gjiK9RZV ; https://lnkd.in/gCnF8M4s ).
VCC-SEA is lead by Dr Sebastien Marcombe, PhD, biologist, expert in medical entomology, focusing first on malaria and arboviruses mosquito vectors and Public Health vector control management, including insecticide resistance management. Dr Marcombe has nearly 20 years of experience in surveillance, control, taxonomy, ecology of insect vectors and transmission of human vector-borne disease pathogens, in Europe, the Caribbean, the USA, and South East Asia. He is recognized as a leader in mosquito control and insecticide resistance management. |
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| Welcome to our new individual member Stephen Midgley |
| AustCham Lao is pleased to welcome its new individual member Stephen Midgley from Salwood Asia Pacific Pty Ltd. He is a Registered Forestry Professional (RFP) and development specialist who, for the past 20 years, has run his own business, Salwood Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, which seeks to link global businesses with forest industries in the Asia–Pacific region.
He is an Asia-specialist, and has worked continuously in Asia for over 46 years through long-term projects in Laos, Nepal, Sri Lanka and China and via many short-term projects.
Stephen’s early career was influenced strongly by his time in Laos 1973 – 76 during which time he was responsible for many early trials of Eucalyptus. He had a long career with CSIRO where he was leader of a major team specialising in the domestication of Australia’s trees, mainly eucalypts and acacias. He is currently a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. He has published widely, and his work has been recognised through several awards from Governments in Australia, Vietnam and China and through professional organisations. |
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| AustCham Lao is pleased to welcome its new individual member Alan Johnson from Palladium. Palladium works with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. Palladium is in the business of making the world a better place, and we believe that collaborative models and systemic approaches are the way to achieve progress and success.It's no longer enough to pursue social progress or commercial growth. In fact, we don't believe you can have one without the other. When you have both, that's what we call "Positive Impact".For nearly 60 years, we’ve been helping our clients to see the world as interconnected – by formulating strategies, building partnerships, mobilising capital, and implementing programs that have a lasting social and financial impact. |
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PanAust’s Lao-registered company, Phu Bia Mining is an internationally recognised and responsible copper and gold mining company in Laos.
This month will see the delivery of components for a new integrated crushing facility to Phu Bia Mining’s flagship Phu Kham Copper-Gold Operation. The US$28 million capital investment project is scheduled to come online in April 2023. In 2021, as part of its life of mine extension strategies, the Company identified an economically viable opportunity to mine the south wall of the Phu Kham open-pit. To access the south wall cut-back area, the existing crushing facility is being decommissioned. The ore from the cutback will extend the life of mine to the end of 2025.
A new crushing facility is required to produce ore of a suitable size to be processed. With this life of mine extension, the Phu Kham Operation will produce an extra 41, 000 tonnes of copper and 37 kilo ounces of gold extending the Operation to 2025. Following intensive technical and commercial evaluations of industrially proven crushing technology, the Company decided on a Mining Machinery Developments (MMD) sizer solution. The Company has engaged MMD, a world leader in the design, manufacture and supply of mineral processing solutions for the project. Additionally, the project has required global collaboration to source the various components. The MMD factory in Brisbane, Australia built the sizer and apron feeder, the vibrating grizzly is being manufactured by Joest in Perth, and the rock breaker was sourced from France.
Asian-based companies are supplying the fabricated structural steel and the stockpile feed conveyor is currently being constructed and installed by Whessoe Lao Sole Co., Ltd in Laos. Phu Bia Mining’s awarding of the conveyor contract to Whessoe demonstrates the Company’s strong support for the Government of Laos’ local buying goals to strengthen the local economy through the procurement of goods and services in Laos.
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| It is time to get inspired over lunch! Introducing our new signature Indochina fusion lunch set menu at 3 Merchants, bursting with powerful flavours yet perfectly balanced through a unique use of regional ingredients
Prices: - Entrée and Main Course or Main Course and Dessert: 89,000 Kip
- Entrée, Main Course and Dessert: 119,000 Kip
- Entrée, Main Course and Dessert + One Glass of Wine: 160,000 Kip
- Red or White Wine by the glass: 45,000 Kip net
Location: 3 Merchants | Crowne Plaza Vientiane | Ground Floor |
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𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱
our Silver Sponsor, Banque Franco Lao Ltd (BFL) is pleased to invite you to join BFL Kaona Training Session II in the topic of "Build your financial management & business plan", aiming to provide MSMEs owners in Laos with an in-depth understanding and analysis of their own business financial situation, which can be helpful to adapt their business strategy and prepare them for access to financial solutions.
Event details: - Date: 22nd - 23rd September 2022
- Time: 8.30 - 17.00
- Venue: BFL Headquarter - 6th floor (Hasady Village, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital)
*The training will be conducted in Lao
What are the topics to be discussed?
Topic 1: Business Plan & Marketing (business environment; marketing plan; operation plan; management plan) Topic 2: Financial Planning (cash balance & assets; investment needs & financing plan; sales forecast; expenses forecast; cash flow forecast & forecasted financial performance and financial position)
What will you gain from this training? - Know how to analyze your financial situation
- Learn more about cash flow, sales forecast and marketing
- Be able to build your own business plan
For more information, please contact BFL Team at 021 285 444 or contact@bfl.la |
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| Special promotion for September 2022 on Family Health Insurance |
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✨Special promotion for September✨!!! Get special discount 10% for customer who buy each options for family health insurance start from 1st – 30th September 2022. No worries when you or your loved ones are sick because family health insurance will provide you with a maximum coverage of more than LAK 219,000,000. You and your family will also benefit from cashless treatment in both Laos and Thai medical facilities. The Family Health Insurance plan will:
✅Cover Hospital Service ✅Cover Operating Theatre ✅Cover Room and Board ✅Cover Surgery ✅Provide Daily allowance during hospitalization of up to LAK 350,000/day ✅And other benefits Last chance of Special promotion!!! Buy Health insurance or life insurance (Annual premium payment mode) from 1st of February until the 30th of September, 2022, for a chance to win these prizes: 1st prize: 2 nights accommodation in Luangprabang + free round trip train tickets (for 2 people) 01 prize. 2nd prize: 1 night accommodation in Vangvieng (2 prizes) 3rd prize: Personal accident insurance (7 prizes) *Terms and Conditions apply. For more information, please contact us via 1677 Email: info@apa.com.la Facebook page: Phongsavanh Insurance APA Website: www.apa.com.la |
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| Special promotion from Lao Ford City |
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For customers who buy Ford Ranger Wildtrak or Wildtrak-X today until 26th September 2022. Customer can choose a promotion below:
🔥Can choose 2 items🔥
✅ 1st Class insurance from APA ✅ Ford Protect- free repair for 3 years/70,000 km ✅ Free 0% interest for 12 months ✅ Free gold necklace 1 baht ✅ Special exchange rate ✅ Special discount price
🔥 Apart from this!!! they still have 1 more item 🔥
✅Gift Voucher value $500 or choose a package to visit Luang Prabang for 2 people, 3 days, 2 nights
For more information, please call:
☎ Vientiane branch 021 241 108 ☎ Luangprabang branch 071 213 233 ☎ Savanakhet branch 030 2003 002 ☎ Champasack branch (Pakse) +856-20-5553-4412
Thank you Lao ford City for trusting Phongsavanh insurance (APA) and let us provide the 1st Class for their motor insurance. Motor insurance from Phongsavanh insurance (APA) give you peace of mind when you are driving and be by your side all your journey because we care
For our more on our products, Please visit us via Email: info@apa.com.la
Facebook page: Phongsavanh Insurance APA Website: www.apa.com.la |
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| Phu Bia Mining awards new crusher contract to Whessoe Lao |
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Whessoe Lao Sole Co., Ltd (WLAO) – an international Lao-based company, was recently awarded a contract by Phu Bia Mining (PBM) Co. Limited to fabricate, install and commission a new crusher and ore stockpile conveyor for the Company’s Phu Kham Copper-Gold Operation. The new conveyor system, part of the life of mine extension for Phu Bia Mining’s Operations, was open to a highly competitive field of international bidders. The awarding of the Contract symbolises one of the many ways that Phu Bia Mining contributes to the Lao economy through the procurement of goods and services from contractors and businesses in the country. The Contract was awarded to WLAO based on Phu Bia Mining’s consideration of commercial competitiveness, the contractor’s risk profile and capacity to ensure its services are provided in a safe and responsible manner where Phu Bia Mining’s health and safety standards are met. WLAO and PBM are supportive of the Government of Laos’ foreign investment goals in the country. This includes the heavy industry manufacturing sector, which has seen companies like WLAO establish and successfully operate their business in Vientiane. A further benefit of awarding contracts locally is the ability to upskill Lao workers through on-the-job training and employment ensuring the economic benefits remain in Laos. “Whessoe is proud to see our high-quality fabrication works recognised by major international investors, who work to extremely high standards, such as ours. The awarding of this Contract marks a proud moment for our Lao Company but also a major boost for the economy of Laos, especially during the current economic situation,” WLAO General Manager, Michael Simcock said.
About Whessoe Whessoe was established in the United Kingdom in 1750, since then the company has re-established itself through a management buyout in Malaysia (1999 – Whessoe SDN BHD) to focus on hydro mechanical equipment, oil and gas and general fabrication. WLAO, is a subsidiary of Whessoe SDN BDH, established its fully equipped heavy steel fabrication facilities in Vientiane (2015) and has been successful in bringing international standard operations to Laos. Recently, Whessoe successfully completed the hydro mechanical equipment installation for several major projects including the Xayaboury Dam, Nam Ngum 2, Nam Kong 2 and Nam Kong 3. The Company also has several Maintenance contracts for hydro power plants, including Nam Theun 2. Building upon this success in the hydro-mechanical sector and in addition to the awarding of the Phu Bia Mining crusher and conveyor belt installation project, WLAO is keen to undertake more large-scale projects of this nature and is looking forward to establishing the company as a preferred supplier to the mining industry in Lao. |
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| BUSINESS AND ENVIROMENT INFORMATION |
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Agriculture accounts for more than a fifth of the Lao PDR’s exports and has the potential to raise revenues and so drive poverty reduction. This study, which learns from the IDA-funded Agriculture Competitiveness Project and ongoing projects by the government and development partners, explores that potential, assessing the options for smallholder Lao farmers to join agricultural export value chains.
Experience shows that poverty declines faster in areas of Laos which are able to diversify their farming systems, adopt modern practices and market their products through regional value chains. This involves diversifying from subsistence rice cultivation to commercial production of cash crops. Most farmers in Laos are low-productivity smallholders, the majority of whom are poor. They face a wide range of challenges that affect their productivity and market participation, including lack of technology and inputs, declining soil fertility, and poor irrigation and drainage. Market access is hampered by high transaction costs and high transport costs, and women farmers face even greater challenges. |
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| This Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD) updates the analytical work of the 2017 SCD in the light of new evidence. In 2017, the World Bank Group published the first SCD for the Lao PDR, which comprehensively assessed the binding constraints to economic growth, inclusion, and sustainability. This SCD uses recent evidence to describe developments since 2017, revisit the previous pathways and priorities for achieving the twin goals of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity, and update knowledge and data gaps. It identifies the most pressing development challenges supported by new data and analytical work and emerging opportunities. The full SCD is published in English, with the Executive Summary available in a combined Lao-English document. |
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| The COVID-19 pandemic and its containment measures severely affected livelihoods in the Lao PDR. Laos fully reopened its international borders on May 9, 2022, and at the same time ended most social restrictions associated introduced during the pandemic. The easing of restrictions came two years after the first COVID-19 lockdown was imposed in April 2020, and followed a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases across the country and the reopening of neighboring countries. While the negative impacts of COVID-19 appear to be receding, Laos is facing new and emerging challenges, some as aftershocks of the pandemic. COVID-19 has created global inflationary pressures as a result of disrupted supply chains and rising food and fuel prices, which have been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. At the same time, high levels of external debt and low foreign exchange reserves have resulted in a rapid depreciation of the Lao kip, pushing up the prices of imported goods. |
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