Lao PDR Competitiveness and Trade Project

Abstract*

The objectives of the Competitiveness and Trade Project are to simplify business regulations, facilitate trade, and improve firm-level competitiveness. There are four components to the project, the first component being improving the business environment. The pillar aims to improve the transparency and efficiency of the general business environment to reduce the costs it currently imposes on all enterprises, and SMEs that find it more difficult to... Show More

Development Objective

The Development Objectives are to simplify business regulations, facilitate trade, and improve firm-level competitiveness.

Key Details

Project Details

Project ID
P164813
Status
Closed
Team Leader
Konesawang Nghardsaysone
Borrower 2
Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Country
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Disclosure Date
February 18, 2018
Approval Date
(as of board presentation)
September 27, 2018
Effective Date
December 10, 2018

Total Project Cost 1
US$ 13.00 million
Implementing Agency
Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Region
East Asia and Pacific
Fiscal Year 3
2019

Commitment Amount
US$ 13.00 million
Environmental Category
C
Last Update Date
November 30, 2023
Closing Date
December 31, 2024

Consultant Services required
Yes
Last Stage Reached
BANK APPROVED

Notes
1. Total project cost includes funding from World Bank and non-bank sources in US$ millions. Active and Closed projects show current commitments. Proposed (pipeline) and dropped projects show the forecast amount. The commitment amount for projects in the pipeline is indicative and may be modified during the project preparation.
2. Borrower refers to the Borrower of a Loan or Recipient of a Grant.
3. ”Fiscal Year” is the fiscal year in which the project was approved (or dropped if the status is dropped). The World Bank's fiscal year is from July 1 - June 30. For example, a fiscal year of 1996 corresponds to July 1, 1995 - June 30, 1996.

Sectors

Themes

FY17 - Economic Policy

FY17 - Trade44%
- FY17 - Trade Facilitation44%

FY17 - Human Development and Gender

FY17 - Gender52%

FY17 - Private Sector Development

FY17 - Business Enabling Environment78%
- FY17 - Innovation and Technology Policy52%
- FY17 - Investment and Business Climate78%
FY17 - Enterprise Development62%
- FY17 - MSME Development62%
FY17 - Jobs48%
FY17 - Regional Integration44%

Project Map

Interactive Map

Finances

Financing Plan (US$ Millions)

Financier	Commitments
IDA Credit	10.00
Lao PDR - Free-standing Trust Fund Program	3.00

Total Project Financing (US$ Millions)

Product Line	IBRD/IDA
IBRD Commitment	N/A
IDA Commitment	10.00
IBRD + IDA Commitment	10.00

Lending Instrument
Grant Amount	3.00
Total Project Cost**	13.00

Summary Status of World Bank Financing (US$ Millions) as of March 31, 2025

No data available.

Detailed Financial Activity as of March 31, 2025

Download:

Period	Financier	Transaction Type	Amount (US$)
Apr 15, 2019	IDA-63180	Int Charges	1,320.21
Apr 15, 2019	IDA-63180	Int Charges	1,320.21
Apr 15, 2019	IDA-63180	Int Charges	1,987.80
Aug 29, 2019	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	406,666.75
Apr 15, 2020	IDA-63180	Int Charges	8,063.98
Apr 15, 2020	IDA-63180	Int Charges	8,063.98
Apr 15, 2020	IDA-63180	Int Charges	12,315.96
Apr 15, 2020	IDA-63180	Int Charges	1,054.71
Jun 10, 2020	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	378,475.44
Feb 24, 2020	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	400,710.22
Nov 13, 2019	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	375,666.38
Oct 22, 2020	IDA-63180	Int Charges	1,166.87
Oct 22, 2020	IDA-63180	Int Charges	11,427.19
Oct 22, 2020	IDA-63180	Int Charges	11,427.19
Oct 22, 2020	IDA-63180	Int Charges	18,240.78
Sep 24, 2020	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	515,734.75
Jan 27, 2021	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	988,843.00
Oct 15, 2021	IDA-63180	Int Charges	214.18
Apr 29, 2021	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	745,123.00
Apr 21, 2021	IDA-63180	Int Charges	812.92
Apr 21, 2021	IDA-63180	Int Charges	15,336.91
Apr 21, 2021	IDA-63180	Int Charges	15,336.91
Apr 21, 2021	IDA-63180	Int Charges	25,561.53
Sep 30, 2021	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	1,212,286.00
Nov 4, 2021	IDA-63180	Int Charges	19,828.96
Nov 4, 2021	IDA-63180	Int Charges	19,828.96
Nov 4, 2021	IDA-63180	Int Charges	32,796.87
Oct 15, 2021	IDA-63180	Int Charges	214.18
May 18, 2022	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	721,257.00
Apr 27, 2022	IDA-63180	Int Charges	23,370.72
Apr 27, 2022	IDA-63180	Int Charges	23,370.72
Apr 27, 2022	IDA-63180	Int Charges	38,951.15
Apr 27, 2022	IDA-63180	Int Charges	581.55
Sep 27, 2022	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	221,976.98
Oct 15, 2022	IDA-63180	Int Charges	21,876.53
Oct 15, 2022	IDA-63180	Int Charges	21,876.53
Oct 15, 2022	IDA-63180	Int Charges	40,516.31
Oct 15, 2022	IDA-63180	Int Charges	2,433.26
Oct 15, 2022	IDA-63180	Int Charges	2,433.26
May 10, 2023	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	232,217.00
Apr 15, 2023	IDA-63180	Int Charges	25,599.46
Apr 15, 2023	IDA-63180	Int Charges	25,599.46
Apr 15, 2023	IDA-63180	Int Charges	45,061.59
Apr 15, 2023	IDA-63180	Int Charges	1,998.49
Apr 15, 2023	IDA-63180	Int Charges	1,998.49
Jan 30, 2023	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	320,201.00
Aug 7, 2023	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	119,208.00
Oct 15, 2023	IDA-63180	Loan Repay	78,950.57
Oct 15, 2023	IDA-63180	Int Charges	28,260.74
Oct 15, 2023	IDA-63180	Int Charges	28,260.74
Oct 15, 2023	IDA-63180	Int Charges	47,101.28
Oct 15, 2023	IDA-63180	Int Charges	904.19
Oct 15, 2023	IDA-63180	Loan Repay	76,667.93
Nov 8, 2023	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	90,893.00
Apr 15, 2024	IDA-63180	Loan Repay	3,970.59
Apr 15, 2024	IDA-63180	Loan Repay	78,752.82
Apr 15, 2024	IDA-63180	Int Charges	28,970.04
Apr 15, 2024	IDA-63180	Int Charges	28,970.04
Apr 15, 2024	IDA-63180	Int Charges	48,283.36
Apr 15, 2024	IDA-63180	Loan Repay	73,661.34
Oct 22, 2019	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	243,426.20
Oct 18, 2019	IDA-63180	Int Charges	3,891.44
Oct 18, 2019	IDA-63180	Int Charges	3,891.44
Oct 18, 2019	IDA-63180	Int Charges	5,422.99
Oct 18, 2019	IDA-63180	Int Charges	210.46
Dec 30, 2019	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	272,021.72
Jan 30, 2019	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	800,000.00
Mar 20, 2019	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	146,603.83
Sep 27, 2018	IDA-63180	Loan Commitment	10,000,000.00
Aug 28, 2024	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	1,418,223.00
Jan 31, 2024	IDA-63180	Loan Disb	302,344.00

Footnotes

Ratings

IMPLEMENTATION RATINGS

Name	Review	Date
Procurement	Satisfactory	2025-02-17
Project Management	Satisfactory	2025-02-17
Financial Management	Satisfactory	2025-02-17
Progress towards achievement of PDO	Satisfactory	2025-02-17
Monitoring and Evaluation	Satisfactory	2025-02-17
Overall Implementation Progress (IP)	Satisfactory	2025-02-17

COMPLETION RATINGS

No data available.

INDEPENDENT EVALUATION RATINGS

No data available.

Results Framework

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE INDICATORS

INDICATOR		BASELINE	CURRENT	TARGET

Time needed to start a business Value 173.00 30.00 70.00
Date June 25, 2021 December 6, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment
Sales growth in BAF supported firms compared to non-supported firms Value 1.00 1.85 1.20
Date May 22, 2018 December 6, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment
Mean time to clear imports, exports and transit through customs Value 5.12 4.85 4.09
Date December 31, 2020 December 6, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment

INTERMEDIATE RESULTS INDICATORS

INDICATOR		BASELINE	CURRENT	TARGET

Time to obtain Enterprise Registration Certificates (ERC) from the Department of Enterprise Registration and Management (DERM)	Value	60.00	10.00	10.00
	Date	June 25, 2021	December 6, 2023	December 31, 2024
	Comment

Commitments under the Trade Facilitation Agreement implemented by Lao PDR Value 21.00 49.60 80.00
Date January 1, 2018 December 6, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment
Total number of grants disbursed Value 0.00 401.00 500.00
Date April 1, 2019 December 6, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment
Lao Business Fora held per year Value 1.00 1.00 1.00
Date December 29, 2017 March 27, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment
Number of operating licenses streamlined Value 0.00 14.00 20.00
Date May 22, 2018 December 6, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment
Technical Trade Facilitation Secretariat meetings with Private Sector Participation (last 12 months) Value 0.00 13.00 6.00
Date May 1, 2018 December 6, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment
Grants to women-led enterprises Value 0.00 0.00 40.00
Date
Comment
Issues captured and actioned through the Lao Business Forum that have been raised by women-led enterprises Value 33.30 33.30 0.00
Date
Comment
Number of Covid-19 affected firms that seek BAF assistance and receive BAF grants to recover and respond to the shock Value 0.00 202.00 100.00
Date May 25, 2021 December 6, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment
Perception of Lao Business Forum’s effectiveness Value Very effective 31 percent Very effective 31 percent
Date
Comment
Number of operating licenses streamlined in sectors of particular interest to women Value 0.00 9.00 9.00
Date May 23, 2018 December 6, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment
Time to prepare documentary requirements for imports and exports Value 37.17 22.28 18.59
Date December 31, 2020 December 6, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment
Hits on the Lao Trade Portal Value 370.60 640.84 400.00
Date December 29, 2017 December 6, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment
Number of new enterprise registrations per year Value 9127.00 12024.00 11000.00
Date December 31, 2021 October 30, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment
Percentage of women-owned enterprises registrations per year Value 43.00 44.23 45.00
Date June 25, 2021 December 6, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment
Time to start a business owned by a woman as a percentage of time to start a business owned by a man Value 100.00 114.00 100.00
Date December 31, 2021 December 6, 2023 December 31, 2024
Comment

Time needed to start a business	Value	173.00	30.00	70.00
	Date	June 25, 2021	December 6, 2023	December 31, 2024
	Comment

Sales growth in BAF supported firms compared to non-supported firms	Value	1.00	1.85	1.20
	Date	May 22, 2018	December 6, 2023	December 31, 2024
	Comment

Mean time to clear imports, exports and transit through customs	Value	5.12	4.85	4.09
	Date	December 31, 2020	December 6, 2023	December 31, 2024
	Comment

Commitments under the Trade Facilitation Agreement implemented by Lao PDR	Value	21.00	49.60	80.00
	Date	January 1, 2018	December 6, 2023	December 31, 2024
	Comment

Total number of grants disbursed	Value	0.00	401.00	500.00
	Date	April 1, 2019	December 6, 2023	December 31, 2024
	Comment

Lao Business Fora held per year	Value	1.00	1.00	1.00
	Date	December 29, 2017	March 27, 2023	December 31, 2024
	Comment

Grants to women-led enterprises	Value	0.00	0.00	40.00
	Date
	Comment

Issues captured and actioned through the Lao Business Forum that have been raised by women-led enterprises	Value	33.30	33.30	0.00
	Date
	Comment

Perception of Lao Business Forum’s effectiveness	Value	Very effective 31 percent	Very effective 31 percent
	Date
	Comment

Time to prepare documentary requirements for imports and exports	Value	37.17	22.28	18.59
	Date	December 31, 2020	December 6, 2023	December 31, 2024
	Comment

Number of operating licenses streamlined in sectors of particular interest to women	Value	0.00	9.00	9.00
	Date	May 23, 2018	December 6, 2023	December 31, 2024
	Comment

Hits on the Lao Trade Portal	Value	370.60	640.84	400.00
	Date	December 29, 2017	December 6, 2023	December 31, 2024
	Comment

Number of new enterprise registrations per year	Value	9127.00	12024.00	11000.00
	Date	December 31, 2021	October 30, 2023	December 31, 2024
	Comment

Percentage of women-owned enterprises registrations per year	Value	43.00	44.23	45.00
	Date	June 25, 2021	December 6, 2023	December 31, 2024
	Comment

Time to start a business owned by a woman as a percentage of time to start a business owned by a man	Value	100.00	114.00	100.00
	Date	December 31, 2021	December 6, 2023	December 31, 2024
	Comment

Lao PDR Competitiveness and Trade Project

Abstract*

Development Objective

Key Details

Project Details

Sectors

Themes

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Project Map

Finances

Financing Plan (US$ Millions)

Total Project Financing (US$ Millions)

Summary Status of World Bank Financing (US$ Millions) as of March 31, 2025

Detailed Financial Activity as of March 31, 2025

Ratings

IMPLEMENTATION RATINGS

COMPLETION RATINGS

INDEPENDENT EVALUATION RATINGS

Results Framework

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE INDICATORS

INTERMEDIATE RESULTS INDICATORS