Lao People's Democratic Republic - Second Lao PDR Competitiveness and Trade Project

Overview & Synopsis

The Second Lao PDR Competitiveness and Trade Project aims to improve the efficiency of Lao PDR’s regulatory environment for business entry and trade facilitation through the digitalization of procedures. Building on the achievements of the first Lao Competitiveness and Trade Project, the project seeks to reduce regulatory barriers to business operations, lower trade costs, and advance the country’s transition toward a paperless trade regime. Component 1: Trade Facilitation will strengthen institutional capacity for trade facilitation through enhanced inter-agency coordination, implementation of the National Trade and Transport Facilitation Roadmap, rationalization and digitalization of non-tariff measures, improvements to transit trade and border management, and capacity building for customs ICT systems and risk management. Component 2: Business Environment will support further digitalization of business entry by upgrading the electronic Business Registration System (eBRS), integrating business licensing functions, developing a centralized business and investment information portal, and strengthening public-private dialogue mechanisms through enhanced institutional capacity of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Component 3: Project Management will finance project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, fiduciary management, and stakeholder engagement. Across all components, the project will mainstream gender, disability inclusion, climate considerations, and inclusive communication to ensure broad-based and sustainable development benefits.