The first National Nutrition Policy Dissemination Workshop was organized during April 8 – 11, 2009 at International Cooperation and Training Center (ICTC), in Vientiane Capital. The objectives of the workshop are: disseminate National Nutrition Policy, National Policy on Food Safety, Mother, Neonatal and Child Health package strategy and their linkages with all sectors related to nutrition, raise awareness and clearly understand on part of all participants of the nutrition situation, causality analysis and context in Laos, and solicit inputs from provincial and other stakeholders about content and priorities for National Nutrition Strategy and National Plan of Action for Nutrition development.

A number of government organizations from line ministries and central provinces, mass organization, embassies, UN, international nongovernment organizations were gathered and participated in 4 days workshops for discussion and Read the rest of this entry »

EDC staffs enjoyed Annual Company Trip in Malaysia before Lao New Year 2009. The smiles of happiness contaminated on every single face besides the loudly laughing which had totally freshened and given the energy to begin the journey on the upcoming year.

On April 1, 2009, the first Lao Business Counseling Network (LBCN), which was established under the support of an International Trade Center’s export promotion project and Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), has just completed a 3-days training workshop on Financial Management at the LNCCI meeting room.

This training event aimed at enhancing the Lao business counselors’ capacity in financial management after they have passed a series of training workshops on Business Management System or BMS, which was a business management model and the application of a diagnostic and strategic designing tools called SNAPSHOT and COMPASS in 2007.  The model and associated tools were developed by ITC and have been used worldwide.   In addition to the LBCN members, lecturers from National University of Laos (NUOL), MBA students, representatives from local banks and business association also participated in the workshop.  Buakhai and Thone from EDC attended the workshop as well as the members of the LBCN.

In May and June 2009, 10 counselors in the LBCN will introduce their business counseling service to at least 15 SMEs in three major provinces, namely Louangphrabang, Savannakhet and Champasack provinces.

More than 20 farmers from Houan and La districts of Oudomxay province recently convened for a second week-long training session, according to UNIDO.

The framers gathered at the Post Opium Surpass Poverty project office where the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) is holding a training course in collaboration with the Enterprise Development Consultants Co., Ltd.

Two trainers from the company, Mr Thone Bougvatthana and Mr Anousak Somsanith, said the training aims to carry on from the success of the first training session last September….. Read the full article on Page 2 of Vientiane times 26 March 2009

Lao 44 reflects the fundamental rights of Lao citizens as states in the Lao constitution article 44: “Lao citizens have the right and freedom of speech, press and assembly; and have the right to set up associations and to state demonstration which are not contrary to the laws”

Based on the government policy on information and communication as stated in the national socio-economic development plan (2006-2010), Lao 44 contributes to strengthening participation of the people in development of the country. Lao 44 is a powerful source of information and communication in all sectors in various forms including booklets, leaflets, posters, video, sound tracks, pictures and emails- all in digital format! Read the rest of this entry »