CT Strategies (CTS) has been selected by the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR to provide technical assistance for customs and trade facilitation support as part of the World Bank Northern Lao Regional Economic Corridor and Connectivity Project.
This technical assistance will seek to further development in Laos by increasing cross-border efficiency and connectivity, and by strengthening the capacity of both Customs and Trade Facilitation organizations. CTS has brought together a team of local and international trade facilitation and customs experts to work closely with the Lao Department of Foreign Trade, the Provincial Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC), and the Lao Customs Department (LCD) on this effort.
The project team will focus on four distinct objectives:
- Regulatory Review and Development: Reviewing and mapping existing customs regulations and processes, and supporting the development of new regulations and ordinances as necessary.
- Capacity Building for Trade Facilitation: Strengthening institutional frameworks and operational capacity of the PTFC.
- Training Programs: Identifying training needs and providing operational and regulatory compliance training to both Customs and Trade personnel and trainers.
- Cross-Border Cooperation: Designing programs and recommendations to improve coordination between the various agencies involved in cross-border activities, as well as with neighboring countries’ customs agencies.
Project Background
The increasing development in Lao PDR in the past decade has a strong linkage with its economic integration with other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries. Laos also became the chairman of ASEAN for 2024 for a third consecutive time under the theme “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”, promoting infrastructure connectivity, narrowing development gaps and strengthening relations with external partners like the U.S.
The Northern Lao PDR Regional Economic Corridor and Connectivity Project aims to improve regional transport, logistics connectivity, and cross-border trade in selected economic corridors. This project will focus on border crossing points located in the provinces of Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Phongsali, Luang Phrabang, and Xayabouli. Desired project outcomes will support promotion foreign investment, import-export activities, and tourism in these areas as well as Lao PDR as a whole.
