Phnom Penh, A nationally owned-capacity development framework: The Experience of Lao PDR Presented by: Lao Delegation Dr. Somphouang Phienphinith Director General of ERIT

Phnom Penh, Presentation outline 1.Introduction 2.Why did Laos apply to the project? 3.The activities conducted since Lesson learnt - Pros and Cons 5.Contribution from ERIT 6.Conclusion: Future expectation - development.

Phnom Penh, 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 status of the department of the MOIC (semi-independent org.);ERIT – a juristic person (de jure) having equal status of the department of the MOIC (semi-independent org.); The TrainForTrade project in Lao PDR was invited to work with ERITThe TrainForTrade project in Lao PDR was invited to work with ERIT

Phnom Penh, ERIT: Role and functionERIT: Role and function ERIT is a key department within MOIC. Its core mission – as a research and advisory (trade policy and law) body for MOIC;ERIT is a key department within MOIC. Its core mission – as a research and advisory (trade policy and law) body for MOIC; Why is a key? - MOIC, as the line agency responsible for industry and commerce in Laos, gives high priority to WTO Accession and implementation of AFTA.Why is a key? - MOIC, as the line agency responsible for industry and commerce in Laos, gives high priority to WTO Accession and implementation of AFTA. Main functions are: Support MOIC with advice on issues - WTO accession, AFTA implementation and trade policy reforms ( 06-20);Support MOIC with advice on issues - WTO accession, AFTA implementation and trade policy reforms ( 06-20); 1. Introduction

Phnom Penh, Main functions:Main functions: Conduct research on trade related economic issues relevant for Laos (impact/ODOP);Conduct research on trade related economic issues relevant for Laos (impact/ODOP); Conduct research and providing advice on commercial law reforms;Conduct research and providing advice on commercial law reforms; Organize and provide training for trade-related capacity building in Lao PDR (5yrs >100 wks for more>1.000.Organize and provide training for trade-related capacity building in Lao PDR (5yrs >100 wks for more> Introduction

Phnom Penh, Why apply ? MOIC/I role - 2 (main) reasons:MOIC/I role - 2 (main) reasons: 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.. WTO/AFTAMOIC/I staff – a sound understanding of.. WTO/AFTA Weak in trade related high QR (technique /methodology).Weak in trade related high QR (technique /methodology).

Phnom Penh, TFT & MOIC/I role: oTFT-UNCTAD’s core program for training & capacity building in the field of: oInternational trade; oTrade-related services; oInvestment and port management. 2. Why apply ?

Phnom Penh,  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 ?

Phnom Penh, oWith a clear and concise objectives as well as the excellence approaches to help ERIT such as: oA rigorous methodology for the development of training materials; oA train-the-Trainers approach; oThe use of distance learning techniques; oAn online network of countries and training institutions. 2. Why apply ?

Phnom Penh, oTherefore, the benefit that we can gain from the assisting of project consist of: oAssisting on developing staff capacity which not only in trade related areas, but also in other fields that mentioned earlier oDeveloping our trainers who can deliver future courses after ending projects oGiving the opportunity across the regions (Capital to provincial level) oAssisting on WTO accession negotiation (In terms of capacity building) 2. Why apply ?

Phnom Penh, Activities conduct since 2004 oSince 2004, TFT has conducted the following workshops: Activities/Year Commercial Law 1 Train of Trainer (TOT) 1111 Trade and Transport facilitation 2 Investment Promotion and Investor targeting Basic course on Investment 1 ICT and E-Tourism 1 Commercial diplomacy on agriculture, Services, International Investment agreement 1 Legal aspect of E-commerce 11 International Investment agreement (IIA) 1 Football

Phnom Penh, The result oThe feedback from 18 workshops ( ) 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

Phnom Penh, FROM PHASE I TO PHASE II LESSONS LEARNT:

Phnom Penh, Lesson learnt oPros: oThe project provides on capacity building to both public and private sectors oAssisting 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) oProviding opportunities across the region – such as from central to provincial level oObtaining skill and knowledge from UNCTAD/TFT materials as well as experts from various fields oSharing experiences with experts as well as partners (Cambodia)

Phnom Penh, Lesson learnt oPros: oProviding opportunity to public sectors to meet and share experiences with private sectors oExpanding the network (trainees with trainees, trainers with trainees, central to local) and visibility oPromoting coordination among line ministries (members) oPossibility of forming trainer association in ERIT (The association will assist on training and doing research) oBe able to develop distance learning materials in local language oERIT is now able to handle training projects on its own (DIMEX)

Phnom Penh, Lesson learnt oCons: oFrom Phase I oThe training relied heavily on foreign experts oFew materials were translated in to local language oThe training focused more on UNCTAD mandate and expertise while need go beyond oNeed to strengthen network and tools developed by UNCTAD in terms of skill and knowledge development

Phnom Penh, ERIT’s contribution to the project oIn order to fulfill the project’s objectives, ERIT also provides some contribution to the project as follow: oTraining room at ERIT (Economic Research Institution for Trade) oOffice and admin staff oNational/Coordinator or focal point for other members oSome expenses such as electricity, waters and cleaning

Phnom Penh, Expectation from Phase II In Phase II, MoIC would like to see: oMore training in more fields to be conducted by Lao trainers by using local language oTraining should continue to be conducted at provincial level in order to develop the staff working capacity oTraining using foreign expert should allow local trainers to help in order to train them as future trainers of that particular topic

Phnom Penh, Expectation from Phase II oMore pedagogic workshop on Train of Trainers (ToT) for both central and provincial staff oThe training should be extended to focus on district level in order to fill the gap oTFT should consider assisting on developing library in order to allow trainees access to the future material that developed by UNCTAD or other sources

Phnom Penh, Expectation from Phase II oCompleting the ownership transfer for the project oThe project will be handled by local professionals with only monitoring, controlling and evaluating by UNCTAD oSome courses will be delivered and led by local trainers (by using trainers network or association) oThe distance learning course should be conducted on a more regular basis (assisting by trainer network - ERIT has a plan to set up trainer association) oBy early 2009, ERIT should be able to conduct TFT activities without any direct involvement from UNCTAD.

Phnom Penh, Thank You

Phnom Penh 5/7 February 2008 Commercial Law BACK

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

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

Phnom Penh, The Workshop on Investment Promotion and Investor Targeting, November 2007, Champasak, Lao PDR BACK

Phnom Penh, The Workshop on E-Tourism and ICT, November 2007, Vientiane, Lao PDR BACK

Phnom Penh, The Football Competition of MoIC, Lao PDR BACK