Vientiane (VNA) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) officially approved a 149 million USD budget for the Lao government to implement four key projects, Pathet Lao newspaper of the Lao News Agency (KPL) reported on January 28.
Accordingly, the funding aims to advance priority socio-economic development goals, focusing on agriculture, healthcare, education, and forestry.
The projects are designed to enhance climate resilience, develop human resources, improve sustainable livelihoods, and promote private sector’s engagement.
ADB Country Director for Laos Shanny Campbell stated that the bank is committed to partnering with the Lao government to achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development. The projects will focus on strengthening the food system, primary healthcare, skills training for a green economy, and responsible forest management.
Notably, the current portfolio prioritises the Sustainable Agrifood System Sector Project, which receives the largest share of funding at 63 million USD. The project will be implemented in six provinces namely Champasak, Salavan, Sekong, Houaphanh, Phongsaly, and Xayaboury, placing particular emphasis on supporting high-value agricultural products with strong export potential, such as coffee, tea, durian, bamboo, and cassava.
Alongside its economic objectives, the ADB will also disburse 40 million USD for the Green Primary Care Project, aimed at strengthening the nationwide primary healthcare system to better adapt to climate change. Implemented across 51 districts, with priority given to 14 high-disaster-risk districts in Champasak, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Savannakhet, and Xieng Khouang provinces, the project is expected to help Laos achieve universal health coverage and build a resilient healthcare system capable of withstanding adverse impacts of climate change.
Regarding human resource development, the Skills Enhancement for Inclusive and Green Economic Development Project worth 36 million USD aims to modernise Laos’ education and vocational training system. The project is designed to meet the rising demand of the green labour market by updating and innovating curricula, with a particular focus on emerging fields such as electric vehicle (EV) maintenance, information and communications technology (ICT), and industrial electrical engineering.
Meanwhile, the first phase of the Responsible Forestry Project with a total funding of 10 million USD is designed to pilot a multi-stakeholder cooperation model involving state management agencies, private investors, and local communities. It will be implemented in Bolikhamxay, Khammouane, and Vientiane, with the aim of strengthening forest governance and climate change resilience, and laying a groundwork for responsible private-sector investment to improve the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities, especially women./.
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