Phnom Penh, 2008 1

A nationally owned-capacity A nationally owned-capacity development framework:development framework:

  The Experience of Lao PDRThe Experience of Lao PDR

Presented by:Presented by:Lao DelegationLao Delegation

Dr. Somphouang PhienphinithDr. Somphouang PhienphinithDirector General of ERITDirector General of ERIT

Phnom Penh, 2008 2

Presentation outlinePresentation outline

1. Introduction

2. Why did Laos apply to the project?

3. The activities conducted since 2004

4. Lesson learnt - Pros and Cons

5. Contribution from ERIT

6. Conclusion: Future expectation - development.

Phnom Penh, 2008 3

1. Introduction1. Introduction

• ERIT: BackgroundERIT: Background

• ERIT – establishment in 1999/MCT;ERIT – establishment in 1999/MCT;

• ERIT is a government agency – MOIC;ERIT is a government agency – MOIC;

• ERIT – a juristic person (de jure) having equal ERIT – a juristic person (de jure) having equal status of the department of the MOIC (semi-status of the department of the MOIC (semi-independent org.);independent org.);

• The TrainForTrade project in Lao PDR was invited The TrainForTrade project in Lao PDR was invited to work with ERITto work with ERIT

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• ERIT: Role and functionERIT: Role and function

• ERIT is a key department within MOIC. Its core mission – as a ERIT is a key department within MOIC. Its core mission – as a

research and advisory (trade policy and law) body for MOIC;research and advisory (trade policy and law) body for MOIC;

• Why is a key? - MOIC, as the line agency responsible for Why is a key? - MOIC, as the line agency responsible for

industry and commerce in Laos, gives high priority to WTO industry and commerce in Laos, gives high priority to WTO

Accession and implementation of AFTA.Accession and implementation of AFTA.

• Main functions are:

• Support MOIC with advice on issues - WTO accession, AFTA implementation Support MOIC with advice on issues - WTO accession, AFTA implementation

and trade policy reforms ( 06-20);and trade policy reforms ( 06-20);

1. Introduction1. Introduction

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• Main functions:Main functions:

• Conduct research on trade related economic issues relevant Conduct research on trade related economic issues relevant for Laos (impact/ODOP);for Laos (impact/ODOP);

• Conduct research and providing advice on commercial law Conduct research and providing advice on commercial law reforms;reforms;

• Organize and provide training for trade-related capacity Organize and provide training for trade-related capacity building in Lao PDR (5yrs >100 wks for more>1.000.building in Lao PDR (5yrs >100 wks for more>1.000.

1. Introduction1. Introduction

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2. Why apply ?

• MOIC/I role - 2 (main) reasons: MOIC/I role - 2 (main) reasons:

1) The problem faced - applying:1) The problem faced - applying:

• Research capability – limited;Research capability – limited;

• Number of trainers and researchers;Number of trainers and researchers;

• MOIC/I staff – a sound understanding of .. MOIC/I staff – a sound understanding of .. WTO/AFTA WTO/AFTA

• Weak in trade related high QR (technique Weak in trade related high QR (technique /methodology)./methodology).

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2. 2. TFT & MOIC/I role:TFT & MOIC/I role:

o TFT-UNCTAD’s core program for training & capacity building in the field of:

o International trade;o Trade-related services;o Investment and port management.

2. Why apply ?

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The program - playing an important role in

assisting developed/developing countries on

capacity development, building of organizational

and technical ability, behaviors, relationships

and value.

2. Why apply ?

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o With a clear and concise objectives as well as the excellence

approaches to help ERIT such as:

o A rigorous methodology for the development of training

materials;

o A train-the-Trainers approach;

o The use of distance learning techniques;

o An online network of countries and training institutions.

2. Why apply ?

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o Therefore, the benefit that we can gain from the assisting of project consist of:

o Assisting on developing staff capacity which not only in trade related areas, but also in other fields that mentioned earlier

o Developing our trainers who can deliver future courses after ending projects

o Giving the opportunity across the regions (Capital to provincial level)

o Assisting on WTO accession negotiation (In terms of capacity building)

2. Why apply ?

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3. Activities conduct since 2004o Since 2004, TFT has conducted the following workshops:

Activities/Year 2004 2005 2006 2007

Commercial Law 1

Train of Trainer (TOT)   1 1 1 1

Trade and Transport facilitation       2 

Investment Promotion and Investor targeting    1  1  3

Basic course on Investment        1 

ICT and E-Tourism        1

Commercial diplomacy on agriculture, Services, International Investment agreement   1     

Legal aspect of E-commerce   1 1   

International Investment agreement (IIA)    1    

Football

Phnom Penh, 2008 12

The resultThe resulto The feedback from 18 workshops (2004-2007) can be summarized as

follow:

1. Material used/contents of workshop: About 80-90% rated excellence (however, almost 90% preferred materials in Lao language)

2. Trainers (methodology, Knowledge, Clarity)

1. Foreign Trainers: (Good – Excellence)

2. Local trainers: (Good – Excellence)

3. Number of workshops: The number of workshops increased in each year

4. Duration of workshop: Too short

5. Overall result: Satisfied

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FROM PHASE I TO PHASE FROM PHASE I TO PHASE IIIIFROM PHASE I TO PHASE FROM PHASE I TO PHASE IIII

LESSONS LEARNT:LESSONS LEARNT:

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4. Lesson learnt4. Lesson learnto Pros:

o The project provides on capacity building to both public and private sectors

o Assisting the beneficiary org. to develop self sustainable (Not only in Trade sectors but to other Steering Committee Members (STEA, MCTPC, CPI, NOSPA, NUOL, SME, Industry and so on)

o Providing opportunities across the region – such as from central to provincial level

o Obtaining skill and knowledge from UNCTAD/TFT materials as well as experts from various fields

o Sharing experiences with experts as well as partners (Cambodia)

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4. Lesson learnt4. Lesson learnto Pros:

o Providing opportunity to public sectors to meet and share experiences with private sectors

o Expanding the network (trainees with trainees, trainers with trainees, central to local) and visibility

o Promoting coordination among line ministries (members)

o Possibility of forming trainer association in ERIT (The association will assist on training and doing research)

o Be able to develop distance learning materials in local language

o ERIT is now able to handle training projects on its own (DIMEX)

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4. Lesson learnt

o Cons:

o From Phase I

o The training relied heavily on foreign experts

o Few materials were translated in to local language

o The training focused more on UNCTAD mandate and expertise

while need go beyond

o Need to strengthen network and tools developed by UNCTAD in

terms of skill and knowledge development

Phnom Penh, 2008 17

5. ERIT’s contribution to the project

o In order to fulfill the project’s objectives, ERIT also provides

some contribution to the project as follow:

o Training room at ERIT (Economic Research Institution for

Trade)

o Office and admin staff

o National/Coordinator or focal point for other members

o Some expenses such as electricity, waters and cleaning

Phnom Penh, 2008 18

6. Expectation from Phase II6. Expectation from Phase II

In Phase II, MoIC would like to see:

o More training in more fields to be conducted by Lao

trainers by using local language

o Training should continue to be conducted at provincial

level in order to develop the staff working capacity

o Training using foreign expert should allow local trainers

to help in order to train them as future trainers of that

particular topic

Phnom Penh, 2008 19

6. Expectation from Phase II6. Expectation from Phase II

o More pedagogic workshop on Train of Trainers

(ToT) for both central and provincial staff

o The training should be extended to focus on district

level in order to fill the gap

o TFT should consider assisting on developing library

in order to allow trainees access to the future

material that developed by UNCTAD or other

sources

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6. Expectation from Phase II

o Completing the ownership transfer for the project

o The project will be handled by local professionals with only monitoring, controlling and evaluating by UNCTAD

o Some courses will be delivered and led by local trainers (by using trainers network or association)

o The distance learning course should be conducted on a more regular basis (assisting by trainer network - ERIT has a plan to set up trainer association)

o By early 2009, ERIT should be able to conduct TFT activities without any direct involvement from UNCTAD.

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Thank You

Phnom Penh5/7 February 2008

Commercial Law

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Phnom Penh, 2008 23The Workshop on Train of Trainer and Train of Tutor, Phnom Phen, Cambodia and Vientiane, Laos PDR BACK

Phnom Penh, 2008 24

The Workshop on Trade and Transport facilitation and logistic, 3-5 July 2007, Savannakhet, Lao PDR

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Phnom Penh, 2008 25The Workshop on Investment Promotion and Investor Targeting, 27-29 November 2007, Champasak, Lao PDR

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Phnom Penh, 2008 26

The Workshop on E-Tourism and ICT, 13-15 November 2007, Vientiane, Lao PDR

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-The Football Competition of MoIC, Lao PDR

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