Transcript Lao Business Forum presentation - Public

MEKONG PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT FACILITY
Lao Business Forum
Public-Private Dialogue Workshop
Paris, 1-2 February 2006
Overview – Lao Business Forum (LBF)
• Established in March 2005
• Three-way partnership between
Government of
Lao PDR (CPI), IFC-MPDF, and Lao
Business Community
• Draws on lessons from IFC-managed
Vietnam Business Forum and Cambodia
Private Sector Forum
• Formal Dialogue mechanism designed to
• Improve the business enabling environment by providing
platform for effective dialogue between the business
community and the Government
• Facilitate information-sharing with potential investors
Objectives
•
•
Facilitate dialogue between the goverment of Lao
PDR and
the private sector, which incudes
the broadest private sector participation possible
Promote consistent enforcement and nondiscretionary
interpretation of laws and
regulations
•
Remove the barriers that businesses face
with regard to
entry and exit
•
Provide feedback on various Government policies
affecting
the private sector
•
Provide feedback on draft Government laws and
regulations that could affect the private sector
•
Assist the Lao government in developing the private
sector
Structure
Donors
Government
LNCCI, BMOs, WGs
Lao Business Forum
Inter ministerial
Committee
WG Representatives
Secretariat – IFC MPDF
Manufacturing WG
Service & Trading WG
Tourism WG
Energy & Mining WG
Process
PSWG –
PS meets and
identifies
issues
PSWG –
Leaders develop
issues, recommend
solutions, prepare
position papers
Formal WG –
PS and IMT meet
to discuss and
work on high
priority issues
Govt agencies
decide on
solutions
Formal bi-annual
Forum Status updates on
priority issues by PS
and Govt
Tools – Issues Matrix
 SECTION :1 AVIATION, AIR TRANSPORT & CONNECTIONS
 Private Sector Issues
 1.1 Transportation Policy
Air transport (both international and
domestic) is this PSWG's main worry. There
are no direct international flights from/to
Europe, the US or Japan. The number of
domestic flights per year is unsatisfactory
(i.e. 53,000 seats VTE-LPQ or 6,500 seats
VTE-PKZ). Increasing air traffic is not only
crucial to tourism, but to other industries as
well.
Businesses would like more information
regarding the government's current policy
and planning for the aviation sector. For
example, what is being undertaken to
increase the seating capacity of the airlines?
PS / Recommendations
Progress at / WG meeting
Forum / Current status
 Achieved
Progress at / WG meeting
Forum / Current status
 Achieved
Progress at / WG meeting
Forum / Current status
 Achieved
1) Lao Airlines development and policy
must be a priority. Government should
consider forming a joint venture or
cooperating in other ways with an
international carrier (Japan Airlines, Air
France). Establishing a second domestic
carrier could also be a solution
2) An "Open Skies Policy" will greatly
benefit national tourism and business
development by increasing competition for
air travel, lowering ticket prices, and
encouraging more international airlines to
fly to Lao PDR. Ultimately it will help make
the country a more affordable destination
for travelers (as compared to other
destinations in the region)
 SECTION : 2 LAND TRANSPORTATION AND SECURITY
 Private Sector Issues
 2.2 Speedboats and Noise
Speedboats are a major problem (especially
between Bokéo and LPQ). They are unsafe,
extremely noisy and pollute the Mekong
River. Not only do they negatively impact
the ecosystem but ultimately, they are reflect
badly on the image the country wishes to
project to tourists (peaceful contemplation,
traditional culture, abundant wildlife).
PS / Recommendations
Implement strict regulation of speedboat
traffic on the Mekong River, including
regulation of owners to ensure passenger
safety.
 SECTION : 3 ACCOMMODATION / INFRASTRUCTURE (North & South)
 Private Sector Issues
3.1 Hotel Classification
In recent years there has been a dramatic
increase in the number of hotel and
guesthouse rooms available in Lao PDR.
Their quality varies from first-class to basic,
there are no set standards, and occupancy
rates vary considerably from place to place.
PS / Recommendations
1) The development of a classification
system for accommodation, such as an
international star rating scheme, would help
to raise industry standards and assist tour
operators in their efforts to develop
packages and itineraries
Tools – Research and Advocacy
Private Sector Position Papers
Business Issues Bulletins
Current Status
• Three of four Private Sector Working Groups
established (Manufacturing, Service & Trade,
Tourism)
• Each PSWG has met 2-3 times to raise
priority issues and develop Issues Matrix
• First round of formal WG meetings between
PS and IMT completed in January 2006
• Issues Matrix being updated, position
papers being prepared
• First Forum scheduled for late February 2006
Contact Information
Lao Businss Forum Secretariat
Mekong Private Sector Development Facility (MPDF)
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
P.O.Box 9690 Vientiane, Lao PDR
Tel: (856 21) 450 017-9 Fax: (856 21) 450 020
Pascale Rouzies
LBF Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Viengsam Soinxay
Program Assistant
Emaill: [email protected]