Celebrating 5 years of BAF II
On September 13th in Vientiane, we proudly organised a showcase event celebrating the success of BAF II, a component of the Lao PDR Competitiveness and Trade (LCT) Project, which Ecorys has been implementing with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce since May 2019.
The morning session kicked off with opening remarks by Dr. Buavanh Vilavong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, followed by addresses from key partners including Mr. Andrea Coppola, World Bank Lead Economist and Program Leader, H.E. Ms. Heather Variava, US Ambassador to Lao PDR, and Ms. Benita Sommerville, Australian Deputy Ambassador to Lao PDR. A highlight of the session was the exciting launch of Laos’ first ever Business Development Services (BDS) directory, along with the unveiling of a series of case studies featuring some of the 360+ local companies that have leveraged BAF II grants to enhance their business performance through BDS.
The afternoon focused on empowering the Lao private sector with networking opportunities and expert talks from local business leaders, covering topics such as branding, certification, innovation, and the potential of AI to drive business growth.
The showcase also featured company booths from 30 BAF II grantees from across the country, offering a firsthand look at their diverse products and services, and illustrating the tangible impact BAF II has had on their businesses.
A huge congratulations and thank you to the fantastic BAF II team, colleagues at the National Implementation Unit of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the World Bank team, and all the dedicated individuals and organisations who have contributed to the success of BAF II!
For more on BAF II, visit: www.baflaos.com
7 October 2024
2 minute read
