1. By The Department of Import and Export
Trade Facilitation and NTMs: Key Achievements and Highlights for the FY By
The Department of Import and Export

2. Content Progress and Achievement
Information dissemination – Lao Trade Portal
Research and study
The resolution to the issues raised by private sector
Policy and regulation development
Capacity building
International coordination
The implementation progress of FY 2014 – 2015
Lessons learned and Issues to be improved
Administrative aspect;
Technical aspect;
Proposal
Today, my presentation will cover 03 main point: 1 progress and achievement that would cover Information dissemination, Research and study, The resolution to the issues raised by private sector, Policy and regulation development, Capacity building, International coordination and The implementation progress of FY 2014 – 2015
2. I will talk about what we have learned and what to need to improved and finally I will conclude with the proposal for further development

3. Progress and Achievement
Information dissemination – Lao Trade Portal
Laws and regulations dissemination:
More than 46,958 viewers
224 legal documents, 384 NTMs measures, 21 Import and Export regulations, Notifications, News, Articles, publications are uploaded in website of the Lao Trade Portal;
Shared Source Code of Lao PDR Trade Portal with Myanmar.
Here is first achievement on information dissemination such LTP. It is indicated that there are approximately viewers visited LTP.
The Lao PDR Trade Portal is the single stop point for all information relating to import and export into and from Laos. Currently, there are 224 legal document , 384 NTMs measures, Import and Export regulations, Notifications, News, Articles, publications are uploaded in website of the Lao Trade Portal; and LTP has updated daily.
LTP has well recognized in global it shows that
Lesotho and Myanmar asked permission for source code in 2013 and 2015 respectively, and now able to replicate Lao PDR’s example.
In addition, there are many nations still want to learn experience from Laos.

4. Visitors visited Lao PDR Trade Portal from 22 /06/2012 to 31/07/2015
Currently, there are approximately, page views and more than visitors has been visit LTP. It shown that the number are increasing year by year.

5. Progress and Achievement
Research and Study
Conducted the research on BIVAC’s Customs declaration system development;
Collected information on the Import – Export and Transit issues from private sector’s perspectives.
DIMEX have done few research paper such as Is the contract arrangement for establishing Lao National Single Window adequate to facilitate trade in Lao PDR? It show that Is Lao people ready to moving forward in order to use Automation system. And another issue is, DIMEX have done survey on import -export and transit issues from private sectors point of views, the survey indicated the results what government have been done so far and what should government need to improve regards policy, human resources and infrastructure and how private sectors really need.

6. Progress and Achievement
The resolution to the issues raised by private sector
The introduction on The export of wooden furniture at the exhibition, number 1027/MoIC.DIMEX, dated 25 May 2015;
Organized an internal consultation meeting with Ministry of Public Health to discuss and find solution for the Import of Medicine on 27 March 2015;
In terms of resolution problem. DIMEX has created The introduction on The export of wooden furniture at the exhibition because in the past, there was no regulation to deal with this issue directly which created some difficulty to export of wooden furniture at the exhibition. Moreover, Trade Facilitation Secretariat (TFS) also organized an internal meeting with MOH to discuss on the process for the import medicine because the process of import is take time to completed.

7. Progress and Achievement
Policy and regulation development
Instruction on Certification of Origin that received the preferences, No. 2225/MoIC.DIMEX, dated 05 December 2014.
2. The introduction on The export of wooden furniture at the
exhibition, number 1027/MoIC.DIMEX, dated 25 May 2015;
3. Decision on Import for Re-export and Temporary Export of
Controlled Goods, No. 1237/TF. DIMEX, dated 23 June 2015
4. Decision on Transit of Controlled Goods through Lao PDR, No.
1238/TF.DIMEX, dated 23 June 2015

8. Progress and Achievement
Capacity Building
A serial of Internal consultation meetings to discuss about their expectation on Executive and Middle Management Development Programs in Public Sector Management of TF and Regulatory Compliance;
03 times LTP trainings for Central, Northern and Southern provinces participated by local trade related authorities and private sector;
A serial of one on one meetings with relevant agencies to consult about NTM issues and consider the option for streamlining such measures.

9. Progress and Achievement
International Coordination
Organized a joint meeting with WTO and WB to conduct the National Needs Assessment on Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) for Lao PDR in southern and northern part of Laos;
Study tours to learned about Cambodia and Myanmar's experience on classifying NTMs;

10. Progress and Achievement
The implementation progress of FY 2014 – 2015
80 percent of approved work plan are implemented;
20 percent of approved work plan can not be implemented such as Capacity building, information collection and meetings;
DIMEX is focusing on implementing the approved activities under the work plan and ensure the alignment with DIMEX’s daily responsibilities;
Having a better coordination and cooperation among related agencies;
NIU always provides useful and practical advices on Logistic.

11. Lessons learned and Issues to be improved
Administrative aspect:
Some coordination flow, methods and procedures are still confusing, not unifying and inconsistent with the practice;
The need to implement activities beyond the approved work plan.

12. Lessons learned and Issues to be improved
Technical aspect:
The responsible officials have to constantly learn about Trade Facilitation and TDF 2 project to ensure the project goals are met;
Limited number of officials with good English skill;
Support the capacity building activities for responsible officials on administrative and technical aspect of the project.

13. Proposals
Develop project implementation manuals and guidance to ensure a clear coordination and procedure;
Require NIU to summarize IAs’ expense and budget happened in each quarter and then notify IAs.
Shorten the procedures of postponing activities which are not yet being implemented to the following quarter.

14. Next work plan
Enhance the coordination and the cooperation with related agencies;
Improve the accuracy of the approved activities as planned;
Reduce the errors and the length of time of the meeting’s expense report to NIU;
FY WorkPlan_DIMEX.xlsx