Website Training has been conducted for Lao SMFEs participating by numerous companies, NGOs and Government sectors, inclusive WWF, SNV, NAFRI, LHA, Danlao Rattan Company, Soubin Rattan Company, Vanvisa Villa and Guesthouse, Bamboo Trader Association and Producer group and Na yang village. Participants had learnt how to up-load information and photo to the web, as well as how to keep their website up-date.

EDC has recently completed the first Web 2.0 course for the SMFEs in Vientiane. The course aimed to demonstrate the basics of the internet technology to the participants and to introduce the use of websites in marketing their products.

In the course, the participants learned how to develop the bamboo and rattan SMFEs in other countries like Indonesia (case of the Trangsan Village), Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Hongkong and Singapore. Then the participants visited interesting sites including FAO Forest Connect, International Bamboo and Rattan Network (INBAR), Solo Business as well as a new rattan design product called EggSofa.

The participants also learned how to post in the Lao Connect Website. Everyone got excited in the process of preparing their own website. It appears that they will continue working on their sites even after the course. The Danlao SMFE presented its own existing Web 1.0 type of site. The site was functional but not complete yet. The Danlao participants claimed that they will improve their site in the future. Both Vila and Visay were asked by Buakhai to follow-up the participants and assist them in developing the sites.

In a recent meeting, the digital media has started to itemize its web-based and internet engineering services for the SMEs and institutional clients. Visay reported to the EDC partners that EDC Media Service will facilitate the dissemination of technical information, case studies, research results, statistics, and other important EDC announcements and events. As planned, the site will be hosted by a UK based server and will employ the latest web 2.0 technologies (e.g., WordPress, Moodle, and Joomla) in spinning highly interactive and content driven sites. Digital media will team up with K+e Ventures, Asia in the Philippines to insure continuous flow of content and media elements.

The web services will include: Website set-up and hosting (up to 12 months at a time), installation (e.g.1. Word Press setup, theme selection and installation, banner design, logo and customization, first four articles with content management training, widgets as well as plugin consultation and installation). EDC is now working on Creative Common license, Adsense and merchant account for the installation of e-Commerce plugins.

One of the most important functions of the unit is capacity building. For every web installation, EDC hopes to train and develop young IT paraprofessionals who will work within the SME client or NGOs, development projects and government installations in both rural and urban internet serviced areas. EDC will develop two types of IT paraprofessionals: web administrators and web content makers. With this unit, EDC hopes to expand the possibilities for the Lao private sector to participate in the expanding internet opportunities worldwide.