Switzerland has been present in Lao PDR since 2006. In line with the Lao Government’s priorities, while also capitalizing on SDC’s past experience in the region, the program in Lao PDR focuses on Governance as well as on Rural Livelihoods and Natural Resource Management. SECO directs its support towards economic development in the country.

SDC’s work in the governance sector focuses on two main aspects: On the one hand, to advance the basic concepts of accountability and transparency and build capacity in the public sector to improve service delivery. On the other hand, SDC aims at advancing the people’s participation in decision-making processes, thereby indirectly strengthening governance.

In order to reach these objectives, SDC has engaged in two types of interventions. Firstly, SDC works to build capacity in government institutions in order to improve public services. Secondly, SDC works to create and expand platforms for citizens’ participation in the development process.

It is expected that SDC, through the progress of this program, will contribute to significant improvements in the public sector, which will allow citizens to better benefit from the current and future economic growth in Lao PDR.

The work in this sector mainly targets the ethnic minorities that live in the poorest upland regions in Lao PDR. The overall objective of the programming is to achieve food security and foster sustainable livelihoods among the poorest. As such, SDC supports the country’s efforts to eradicate poverty and leave the UN-classified group of least developed countries by 2020.

SDC’s current support to the rural livelihood and natural resource management sector is focused on smallholder agricultural development in the uplands. The support is directed towards sustainable land management and applied research and human resources development, the latter mainly through support of the reform of agricultural education.

Economic growth in Lao PDR has substantially accelerated in recent years, due to strong exports and an influx of foreign investment. The Lao Government’s efforts to integrate into the regional and international trade system are supported by Switzerland (SECO), through measures increasing the competitiveness of export-oriented small to medium enterprises. SDC’s work to promote an enabling economic environment, with a particular focus on the poor, complements these efforts.