|
Laos, Germany outline cooperation strategy
The governments of Laos and Germany yesterday signed an agreement between the two countries outlining prioritised areas for sustainable economic development.
The future bilateral cooperation strategy outlines two main areas for cooperation, namely, a cooperation framework for the promotion of sustainable economic development, and rural development in poor commun ities (RDPC) in Laos.
Director General of the International Cooperation Dep artment of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Mr Somchith Inthamith, represented the Lao government in signing the agreement. Signing for Germany was the Deputy Director General for Asia and Policy Issues Relating to Human Rights, Governance and Gender of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mr Dominik Ziller. Cooperation within the sustainable economic development (CSED) framework, which began in 2005, will be based on two prioritised areas to develop competitive capacity in production for private small and medium enterprises (SME). This will enable them to integrate with regional and international economies.
The CSED will also improve the financial system by simplifying mechanisms to ensure easy access to finance by poor people and SMEs to facilitate their trading activities, according to a press release from the ministry.
The objectives of the CSED include helping Lao companies be more effective in processing their products, and creating marketing opportunities for their products both in the domestic and international markets. It also aims to increase bank loans available to enterprises, and boost the number of SMEs in Laos.
Previously, cooperation unde r the CSED was based on two areas - promotion and development of SMEs, and human resource development by supporting and developing vocational schools in five northern provinces.
The government of Germany intends to continue cooperation in areas specified under the RDPC programme, which began in 2000, according to the press release.
These areas include adding value to agricultural products, land management in rural communities, road building in local communities, and environmental protection.
In recent years, bilateral cooperation has been and continues to be a success story, and has been honoured by a doubling of two yearly commitments since 2008/9 from 17 million euros to over 34 million euros, according to information from the German embassy to Laos.
Vientiane times
|
