Remote Sensing-related Activities of Forest Management in Lao PDR

Some information about how Remote Sensing Technology is and should be used in forest management in Laos.

http://www.restec.or.jp/geoss/materials/PDF/ForestFire/2day/2day_5_Sengtianthr.pdf

Informatisation of SMEs in Laos

A powerpoint presentation. I didn't know of such an English word before. Informatisation is getting something on the WWW! The mentioned concept of GMS e-business/e-commerce was also interesting, though not much detailed information were provided. Downloadable at
http://www.unescap.org/icstd/applications/projects/e-business-GMS/pilots/Yunnan/docs/launching/presentations/Lao_Peoples_Democratic_Republic.ppt

Non-Wood Forest Products Marketing and Small Enterprise Development for Poverty Alleviation in Lao PDR

A presentation material that may give you an idea about what non-wood forest products mean in Laos.

http://cecoeco.catie.ac.cr/descargas/Vongvilai.pdf

FDI - SME Linkages (Two Case Studies)

The report used some statics and figures to show that FDI (Foreign Direct Investments) had contributed to economic developments in Laos, but argued that this could be
enhance by promotion of FDI and SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) linkages. It was a surprise to see Local Inputs for the Gold and Copper mine LXML (an Australian miner and State) and Beer Lao (Carlsberg and State ) accounted for 21% and 30% respectively. Taxes paid to the state was $53 million for LXML, and $38 million for Beer Lao, in 2006. Can be downloaded at http://www.gtz.de/de/dokumente/en-FDI-SME-Linkages.pdf

Acceptance and suitability of renewable energy technologies in Lao PDR

Interesting report on trendy topic. One of the conclusion was combination of RE (Renewable Energy) technologies, such as Solar Power, Biomass etc. could be an answer to off-grid electrification and on-grid efficiency in Laos.

http://library.wur.nl/way/bestanden/clc/1885912.pdf

Sugarcane in Phongsaly: Story of a forecast disaster

Short but informative paper. It discussed conditions, under which replacing slash and burn farming by cash crop production might be a solution to forest preservation. Though not discussed explicitly, the paper also provided first hand information on the question why it was difficult to make the contract farming work.

http://mekonginfo.org/mrc_en%5Ccontact.nsf/0/2B49690F4E42255487256906003074BE/$FILE/pddp.pdf

Vietnamese Migrant Workers in Savannakhet, Lao PDR A Study of the impacts of their economic migration on the region

The paper said it was interesting that while Cambodian and Lao went to work in Thailand, Chinese and Vietnamese were, on the other hand, coming to work in these two countries. Through studies base on interviews, it concluded that while Vietnamese workers in Savannakhet contributed to both countries by providing skilled labor in Laos and remit home, social impacts were also expected.

http://www.mekonginstitute.org/html/images/pdf/rocke2/5Paper_Vmigrants_in_Lao_PDR.pdf

LOGISTICS DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE FACILITATION IN LAO PDR

Very informative report on issues as in the topic.

http://www.bus.tu.ac.th/usr/ruth/file/Lao-World%20Bank.pdf

Understanding the supply chain of paper mulberry bark in Lao PDR using causal mapping

Quite interesting paper. It uses causal mapping to examine the factors shaping the supply chain of paper mulberry bark. The supply chain is seen as a network of six
functional groups (farmers, district traders, Lao exporters, Thai manufacturers,
government extension staff and consultants). There were too many findings so please have a look by your self at
http://www.wiso.boku.ac.at/fileadmin/_/H73/H733/Laos/Report_CausalMaps.pdf

Road Development and Poverty Reduction: The Case of Lao PDR

I just can't agree more. No roads, no incomes.
http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN022865.pdf

Pro-Poor Tourism and the Value of Heritage in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

This paper thinks that there should be more activities to foster local awareness of, and appreciation for Luang Prabang’s (or Luang Pabang, a city that was registered as world heritage in Laos) cultural and heritage significance, on which the future of the site will depend. Downloadable at
http://www.tourismroi.com/Content_Attachments/28016/File_633546129004585181.pdf

DETERMINANTS OF POVERTY IN LAO PDR

This paper uses a detailed household survey data set to examine the determinants of income and poverty in Lao PDR. It found that household size, dependency ratios, education, access to agricultural inputs, geography and ethnicity are among the main determinants of per capita consumption.
http://swopec.hhs.se/eijswp/papers/eijswp0223.pdf

Constraints to Rice Production Systems in Laos

This paper summarizes the known main abiotic and biotic production constraints in each of Laos’s rice-producing environments: wet-season lowlands, dry-season irrigated, and rainfed uplands, but not those socioeconomic constraints that can also have significant impact on farmer attitudes and production. Downloadable at
http://www.aciar.gov.au/system/files/sites/aciar/files/node/2301/pr101chapter01.pdf

The transition of garment factory girls into prostitution in Laos

Interview based report plus recommendation paper on prostitution problems in garment fatories in Laos. Downloadable at http://www.afesiplaos.org/upload/assets/OS_Garment%20factory%20girls_06.pdf

Coping with restrictive policies and maintaining competitiveness: Lao PDR

A presentation on garment industry in Laos. Time series data of export garment factories are especially useful. Downloadable at http://www.unescap.org/tid/mtg/weaving_lao.pdf

Forest extraction or cultivation? Local solutions from Lao PDR

I myself have actually come across a few Lao who spending most of their schools days without cashes, but had made it to universities abroad. I think Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) were what made this possible. The following paper may give you an idea about how NTFPs are still important to Lao livelihoods.
http://www.etfrn.org/ETFRN/WORKSHOP/BIODIVERSITY/documents/foppes1.pdf

Tourism Development in the Lao People's Democratic Republic

A report(discussion paper) by UN staffs on developments and policies on tourism in Laos, approximately 10 years after it practically opened its door to foreign tourists.
http://www.un.org/esa/desa/papers/1999/esa99dp9.pdf

LAOS IN THE ASEAN FREE TRADE AREA: TRADE,REVENUE AND INVESTMENT IMPLICATIONS

This article examines the likely impact of AFTA membership on Laos’s trade,
government revenue and foreign investment flows. It founded that the membership would basically make Laos better off. The paper can be downloaded at
http://dspace-dev.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1030.58/11253/2/pep-276.pdf

Assessment of Current Garment Industry in the Lao PDR

A report based on field survey of 21 garment factories in Vientiane, from March 12 to March 25, 2005, with a set of recommendations for possible development of garment industry in Laos. The report can be found at http://www.research.kobe-u.ac.jp/gsics-publication/jics/sakurai&ogawa_14-1.pdf

Use of Natural Biological Resources and Their Roles in Household Food Security in Northwest Laos

A study that focuses on agriculture-forestry-based livelihood systems of Northwestern Lao people through village studies, including semi-structured group interviews, questionnaire survey, participatory observation and wealth ranking in Luang Namtha province. The paper can be downloaded from http://www.cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/seas/41/4/410402.pdf