The objective of the project is to enhance Lao PDR’s national capacity to formulate, implement, manage, and monitor a pro-poor trade policy that is consistent with the country’s National Socio‐Economic Development Plan (NSEDP).

 Results

• A Capacity Needs Assessment and Skills Development Action Plan was completed in April 2015 after data collection sessions were held in the 12 departments of the Department of Industry and Commerce of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC). The assessment has identified the training priority levels for the staff and the most needed training topics.
• Lao PDR hosted a study visit from Bhutanese officials in January 2015 who wanted to learn about Lao PDR's Trade and Private Sector Development Roadmap in order to realize their own potential EIF Tier 2 projects. Hosting the Bhutanese delegation was an important way for Lao PDR to demonstrate the capacity that has been built through the EIF.
• 45 participants, including NIU technicians, participated in a workshop on investment climate assessment presented by the World Bank in 2014.
• A meeting was held in January 2015 to discuss more effective ways to increase coordination following a comprehensive review of the overall Aid for Trade governance structure, including the Sector Working Group (SWG); the Project Executive Committee (PEC); and the Project Review Committee (PRC).
• The PRC held its first meeting in August 2015 with 85 participants. The Chair and Co-chair requested relevant IAs to revise their work plans to include re-prioritization of activities, especially workshops and study visits.
• The draft of the Development Trade and Industry Development Plan (5-year plan) for the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan has been prepared and will be finalized in early 2016. This strategy will contain clear development goals and detailed interventions.
• The Trade and Private Sector Working Group met in June and October 2015, and EIF National Implementation Unit (NIU)-IA meetings were held quarterly in 2015.
• 53 people participated in a 4-day NIU fiduciary workshop in July 2015. The objectives of the meeting were to enhance staffs’ understanding on basic principles of financial and procurement management regulations as well as to exchange lessons learnt.
• In 2015 meetings were held with development partners including UKAID, UNCTAD and KOICA with the goal of securing additional resources for DTIS Action Matrix priorities.
• A new communications strategy was prepared by an international consultant outlining how to increase NIU visibility, promote trade mainstreaming, and transfer knowledge. Following the completion of the strategy, communications officers from the MoIC and IAs in other ministries participated in a workshop.