News & events
How do we work?
Organisation
Our Mission
 
   
 
   
 

About Us 

Lao PDR is located in the centre of the Mekong Region, one of the fastest growing regions of South-East Asia in economic terms. Services sector is the largest sector of the economy with 38.5% of Gross National Product (GDP), followed by industry (31.7%) and agriculture (29.8%)*. Lao PDR is classified as one of the Least Developed Countries. Despite its abundant natural resources with high potential in forestry, agriculture, hydropower and mining, the basic infrastructure such as roads, telecommunications, water and electricity is underdeveloped.

 

Per capita, GDP increased from US$ 2,200 to US$ 2,400 between 2008 and 2010. Approximately 27% of the population lives on less than 1 US$ per day.*

 

SNV began its operation in Lao PDR since late nineteen nineties. In 2005, SNV started its operation independently from UNV. From the beginning, our work is shaped by the context of national development priorities, and aligned with the Lao PDR Government’s development strategies, which are the National Socio-Economic Development Plan and the National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy. This is a five year plan that is fully accepted by the donor community as the nationally owned PRSP. Our strategy leads to results in two impact areas:

 

• Increased Access to Basic Services.
• Increased Production, Income and Employment.

 

In the area of Access to Basic Services, SNV Lao PDR's work focuses on improving water, sanitation and hygiene and developing the renewable energy sector. In the area of Production, Income and Employment, we work by strengthening agricultural and forest products. Integrated in each sub-sector, three cross-cutting themes have been merged into our interventions, which are governance, gender equity and social inclusion; value chain development; and access to finance.

 

Our work is supported by a team of advisers (8 internationals and 41 domestics) with complimentary expertise, who will serve a range of clients in a flexible manner in five main provinces: Vientiane Capital, Houaphanh, Luang Prabang, Khammoune and Savannakhet through 3 offices: Vientiane Capital, Houaphanh, Vientiane Capital and Savannakhet. 

 

We deliver sustainable, pro-poor results through four different methods. Our primary means of achieving impact is through the provision of advisory services. We complement this approach by providing knowledge brokering, advocacy services, and support to innovative funding mechanisms for local capacity development.

 

*source: Asian Development Bank, Key Indicators for Asia and

 the Pacific, 2010

 The World Bank, World Development Indicator, 2010
 
   
 
   
 

Lao PDR - Facts and Figures 

  • Landlocked and increasingly becoming land-linked, Lao PDR is in the centre of the Mekong region.
  • The Mekong River is the main geographical feature in the west and, in fact, forms a natural border with Thailand in some areas. The Mekong flows through nearly 1,900 kilometres of Lao territory and shapes much of the lifestyle of the people of Laos. In the South, the Mekong reaches a breadth of 20 kilometres, creating an area with thousands of islands.
  • Services sector is the largest value added in the Lao economy, contributing to 38.5 percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2010 (est.). However, agriculture provides 75.1 percent of the labour force.
  • Public financial management reforms continue to be critical. An improved central - local government fiscal framework, budget planning and execution are key factors underpinning enhanced service delivery in education and health and poverty reduction efforts.*
  • Lao PDR has improved on water supply and sanitation from 28 percent (1990) to 74 percent (2007). However, about 40-50 percent of population still cannot access to safe drinking water and a simple pit latrine, especially in rural areas.*
  • The Official poverty rates has declined from 46 percent (1992) to 26 percent (2010) resulted from economic growth. The economy has benefited from high investment in hydropower, mining and construction.
  • The main foreign investors are from Thailand, China, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam (ASEAN), South Korea, Taiwan, France, the Netherlands and the United States.
  • In 2006 and 2007, Luang Prabang received Golden Award by Wanderlust Travel Managize in UK.
  • In 2008, Luang Prabang is short-listed for the Top City Tourist Destination by Wanderlust Travel Magazine in UK.
  • December 1995, in Berlin, the Town of Luang Prabang was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
  • December 2001, Helsinki, Finland, Vat Phou Temple Complex and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
  • In 2008, Lao PDR has been listed as the 1st place to go among 53 countries in the world by the New York Times.

 

*Source: www.ausaid.gov.au