3rd Quarter Report 2011: Laos-US International and ASEAN Integration (LUNA) Project

The first objective is to support the effective implementation of the U.S.-Lao PDR Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), the second is to support the timely accession of Laos to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the third is to support Laos in fulfilling its commitments to the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The LUNA Project provides demand-driven support to eight counterparts, including six line ministries and two national institutions. The project's technical assistance consists of legal and economic policy analysis, comments on draft laws and regulations, training, and support for workshops and seminars. The project aims to strengthen the legal and policy framework and enhance institutional and human resource capacities to contribute to long-term development in the Lao PDR. In the 3rd Quarter of 2011, the LUNA Project continued to implement its activities, with a focus on capacity building and technical assistance. The project hired a new Senior Legal Advisor, Franck Boulin, and a Project Coordinator, Ms. Chaikeo Kedsadasak, to support the project's activities. The project also moved into a new office, which is closer to the Foreign Trade Policy Department (FTPD) and most of the project's counterparts. The project's activities in the 3rd Quarter of 2011 included support for MOIC-FTPD capacity-building programs, maintenance and improvement of the FTPD's communication and public outreach capabilities, and support for the development of a law on making legislation. The project also provided speakers at workshops organized by the MOJ Training Institute on legislative drafting. The LUNA Project's activities in the 3rd Quarter of 2011 were focused on advancing the BTA, WTO, and AEC. The project supported MOIC-FTPD capacity-building programs, including the maintenance and improvement of the FTPD's communication and public outreach capabilities. The project also supported the development of a law on making legislation, which is a key component of the BTA and WTO accession. The project's technical assistance consisted of legal and economic policy analysis, comments on draft laws and regulations, training, and support for workshops and seminars. The project's activities were focused on strengthening the legal and policy framework and enhancing institutional and human resource capacities to contribute to long-term development in the Lao PDR. The LUNA Project's activities in the 3rd Quarter of 2011 were also focused on transparency and dispute settlement. The project supported the development of a law on making legislation, which is a key component of the BTA and WTO accession. The project also provided speakers at workshops organized by the MOJ Training Institute on legislative drafting. The project's activities in the 3rd Quarter of 2011 were also focused on SPS and TBT. The project supported the finalization of regulations to implement the Law on Standardization. The project also provided technical assistance to the FTPD on SPS and TBT issues.