Second Lao PDR Competitiveness and Trade Project

pipeline

The proposed RETF activities reinforce the complementarity of paperless trade and business entry automation in Lao PDR. The proposed project is designed to build on the successes of Lao Competitiveness and Trade Project (LCTP1) and seeks to further reduce regulatory challenges in business entry and operation and address Lao PDR’s high trade costs hindering a more competitive and diversified export sector. The RETF activities are clustered into three components.Component 1. Trade Facilitation. This component will strengthen inter-agency coordination mechanisms and supporting implementation of initiatives to improve trade facilitation performance. It will also provide expert advice and capacity-building to assist in implementing the Information, Communication and Technology ( ICT) Roadmap and support the better integration of ICT initiatives, as well as the adoption of a paperless trade regime.Component 2: Business environment. This component will enhance business entry by upgrading the electronic business registration system (eBRS) and strengthen the institutional capacity of the LNCCI to better equip the Lao Business Forum (LBF) Secretariat and relevant working groups to ensure the effectiveness of policy implementation and the sustainability of LBF.Component 3: Project Management. This Component will provide technical and operational assistance for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the project, including fiduciary aspects. Additionally, this component will provide support for gender and disability, communication, compliance monitoring of environmental and social aspects.