RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/W/ 174 
17 January 2020  
(20-0479) Page: 1/38 
Trade Policy Review Body    
 
* In Original language only/ En langue originale seulement /En el idioma original solamente . 
  
LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC  
DRAFT MINUTES  OF THE MEETING* HELD ON 18 AND 20 NOVEMBER 2 019 
Delegations are invited to submit factual corrections, if any, on their own statement to the 
Secretariat ( Mrs Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , or to  tprd@wto.org ) no later 
than 31 January 2020 . 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales  
 
RÉPUBLIQUE DÉMOCRATIQ UE POPULAIRE LAO  
PROJET DE COMPTE REN DU DE LA RÉUNION* TENUE LES 18 ET 20 NOVEMBRE 201 9 
Les délégations sont invitées à soumettre  leurs éventuelles corrections factuelles concernant leurs 
propres déclarations au Secrétariat ( Mme Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , ou 
tprd@wto.org ) le 31 janvier 2020  au plus tard.  
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales  
 
REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA POPULAR LAO 
PROYECTO DE ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN* CELEBRADA LOS DÍAS 18 Y 20 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2019  
Las delegaciones pueden enviar a la Secretaría (Sr a. Barbara Blanquart: 
barbara.blanquart@wto.org , o tprd@wto.org ) a más tardar el 31 de enero de 2020  las 
correcciones fácticas que deseen introducir en sus propias declaracio nes. 
 
 
_______________  
 
  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
 
LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC  
DRAFT  MINUTES OF THE MEET ING 
Chairperson: H.E. Mr Manuel A.J. Teehankee (Philippines)  
CONTENTS  
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMA RKS BY THE CHAIRPERS ON ................................ ......................  3 
2  OPENING STATEMENT  BY THE REPRESENTATI VE OF LAO PDR  ................................ .... 5 
3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  ................................ ................................ ...............  9 
4  STATEMENTS BY MEM BERS  ................................ ................................ .......................  12 
5  REPLIES BY THE RE PRESENTATIVE OF LAO PDR AND ADDITIONAL C OMMENTS  ........  31 
6  CONCLUDING REMARK S BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ ........................  35 
7  ADOPTION OF TPRB' S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2019  ................................ ....................  37 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies provided 
by Lao PDR are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/394/Add.1 and will be available online at 
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democratic Republic  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS  BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
1.1.  The first Trade Policy Review of Lao PDR was held on 18 and 20 November 2019. The 
Chairperson, H.E.  Mr. Manuel Teehankee (Philippines), welcomed the delegation  of Lao PDR, headed 
by H.E. Mrs. Khemmani Pholsena, Minister of Industry and Commerce; the rest of the delegation  
from Lao PDR, and other colleagues from the Mission in Geneva; and the discussant, Mr. Jean Marie 
Paugam (France).  
1.2.  The Chairperson took this o pportunity to remind Members that, as indicated in the revised 
Airgram for this meeting (WTO/AIR/TPR/91/ADD.1), at the end of the second day, the TPRB would 
be invited to adopt its Annual Report for 2019 (document WT/TPR/W/172 distributed on 
25 October  2019). 
1.3.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of TPRs and the main elements of procedures for the 
meeting. The report by Lao PDR was contained in document WT/TPR/G/394 and that of the WTO 
Secretariat in document WT/TPR/S/394.  
1.4.  Questions by the following delegati ons were submitted in writing before the deadline: Canada; 
Philippines; Australia; Chinese Taipei; United States; Hong Kong, China; Malaysia; China; and the 
European Union. The following delegations submitted written questions after the deadline: Thailand;  
Dominican Republic; and Iceland.  
1.5.  Lao PDR's WTO accession, according to Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and 
Minister of Foreign Affairs at that time, had been a guide and a driving force towards reforms in the 
country's trade and economic fr amework, taking into account international best practices. It had 
also helped pave the way to attain the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and graduate from 
LDC status. Upon accession, Lao PDR had undertaken to align its trade and related policies and 
practices with WTO principles in numerous areas, including state enterprises, price controls, tariff 
rate quotas, quantitative restrictions, import bans, customs valuation, certificates of origin, pre -
shipment inspection, contingency measures, export measur es, subsidies, TBT/SPS measures, special 
economic zone customs formalities, intellectual property rights, transparency and WTO notifications.  
1.6.  Since its accession, Lao PDR's economy showed robust growth, with real GDP expanding by 
over 7% annually, and the  country is on the path to graduate from LDC status by 2024. Prudent 
macroeconomic management resulted in moderate inflation and exchange rate stability. However, 
high fiscal deficits and public debt remained a concern; these was also highlighted by Member s in 
their advance written questions. Lao PDR's increasing trade openness was also evident by the share 
of trade in GDP rising since it's accession. In their advance written questions, Members also sought 
further information regarding national accounts and  balance -of-payments data.   
1.7.  Lao PDR remains committed to the multilateral trading system, and improved its WTO 
commitments by ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). At the same time, it continued to 
focus on strengthening regional economic inte gration ties through the implementation and/or 
participation in the negotiation of several ASEAN agreements. Lao PDR, a beneficiary of Generalized 
System of Preferences schemes and of additional LDC -specific preferences, continued to receive 
assistance reg arding reaching economic development objectives under Enhanced Integrated 
Framework projects. During the review period, it submitted several WTO notifications. Lao PDR 
remains largely open to, and makes efforts to encourage, foreign direct investment. As i ndicated by 
the advance written questions, Members wished to learn more about some of its development 
strategies, policy and law -making procedures, regulatory transparency and LDC graduation -related 
implications, as well as investment promotion and busines s environment reforms and procedures, 
among other things.  
1.8.  With regard to trade policy, the tariff was Lao PDR's main trade policy instrument. The simple 
average applied MFN tariff in 2018 was 8.6%, while the average bound tariff was 19.0% and the 
entire t ariff was bound. The applied rate exceeded the bound rate for a small number of tariff lines, 
an issue highlighted by some Members in their advance written questions. Furthermore, since its 
WTO accession, Lao PDR undertook a number of trade facilitation me asures which resulted in a 
considerable decline in customs clearance times. In their advance written questions, Members 
sought further information concerning some of these measures. Since its accession, Lao PDR had 
enacted, or was in the process of enactin g, legislation in a number of areas, such as safeguards, WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  anti-dumping and countervailing measures, competition policy, government procurement, and IPR. 
Further clarification regarding these areas was also sought by Members in their advance written 
question s.  
1.9.  The Chairperson drew Members' attention to the following areas, among others, where 
Members were interested in having more clarity. These included: export bans on unprocessed wood 
and minerals; mining concession allocations; energy and manufacturing po licy plans; some 
regulatory and procedural issues in financial services; certain telecommunications issues, road and 
railway transport development plans; and plans relating to e -commerce and tourism.  
1.10.   This meeting was to be a good opportunity for Members t o discuss in greater detail issues of 
interest to them and of systemic importance to the multilateral trading system. The Chairperson was 
looking forward to a fruitful exchange.  
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  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY  THE REPRESENTATIVE OF LAO PDR (H.E. MRS . KHEMMANI 
PHOLSENA)  
2.1.  It is a great honour and privilege for me to represent the Government of Lao PDR in this first 
review of our development and trade policies.  
2.2.  First and foremost, I would like to thank the WTO Secretariat for the excellent job they have 
done in analysing our policies. They have been very effective and persistent in getting the relevant 
information from all stakeholders in the Government.  
2.3.  The Trade Policy Review by the WTO is a demanding, but very worthwhile exercise: it provides 
a comprehe nsive picture of trade policies and their implementation to our Ministry, which is in charge 
of trade policy. It shows us where we are in our reform efforts and what still needs to be addressed. 
In some instances, we are provided information about policies  in other sectors of which we had 
ourselves no knowledge, information which will allow us to improve our work.  
2.4.  The questions asked by the WTO Members and the discussions these days here in Geneva are 
equally important. It is very helpful for a national adm inistration to get an external appreciation of 
its policies: Government officials - often attending to the urgent rather than the important - need to 
get an outside assessment to concentrate on the major issues. We have responded to the questions 
as best w e can. We have received 185 advance written questions and the document you have 
received on the questions and answers is 81 pages long. We will pursue the questions further and 
submit to you, within one month of this meeting, the additional information we may be able to 
gather.  
2.5.  Lao PDR has accomplished much during the review period. We have defined a large number of 
reforms in many sectors, have adapted most of our laws to international standards and we have 
progressed substantially both in establishing a market economy unleashing the entrepreneurship in 
our people, as well as in our efforts to integrate our economy into the global trading system. I am 
not going to repeat all the accomplishments in the legal and administrative system: the WTO 
Secretariats' report illustrates them.  
2.6.  The economic and development results have proven that our reform efforts have not been in 
vain: our growth rate has been second to none and we have reduced our poverty rate from 46% in 
1993 to 23% in 2013, and further to 19% in 201 7. 
2.7.  I think we can be proud of our achievements. I would like to thank hereby the numerous 
Members of the WTO who have provided us with valuable assistance, without which we would not 
have been able to progress as much as we have.  
2.8.  This said, Lao PDR is full y aware that we have still a long way to go. Slowing our reform efforts 
is not an option.  
2.9.  Adapting laws and regulations to international standards is one thing. Ensuring their 
consistency and efficient application is a much more difficult and demanding pro cess. The 
transformation of a state -led economy to a market -oriented economy requires a change of mind: 
this requires time, awareness raising, training both of Government officials and the public at large. 
This is one of our top priorities in the coming ye ars. 
2.10.   The demands for reform are evolving rapidly. We are still in a full reform effort of the services 
sector and yet we are already required to prepare ourselves both in terms of human resources as 
well as the regulatory environment to be able to take adv antage of the potential of e -commerce. We 
have been successfully developing our natural resources and urgently need to transform our 
economic fabric from a resource -based economy to a diversified economy both in industry and 
services that will create remun erative jobs for our people.  
2.11.   Our development has been unequal, both in terms of beneficiaries and between the regions. 
As the majority of our underprivileged population lives from agriculture and in remote areas, our 
priority will be to increase agricultural productivity, value added creation through the transformation 
of agricultural products and to ensure that all our people have access to transport, electricity, 
education, credit and the internet.  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  2.12.   My Government is fully aware of the fragility of our development to external shocks. We have 
to better manage our public finance and our foreign exchange. We have to diversify our exports and 
their destinations. We have already taken strict measures to decrease our budget deficit and we 
have managed to increase, although not enough, our fo reign exchange reserves. Better budget 
management, including improving our procurement system - by applying the existing legal and 
regulatory framework efficiently and consistently - is a priority.  
2.13.   In the trade field, our priorities are clear: trade is not  an objective, but an important tool to 
further our development objectives.  
1. Security of law and predictability of policies : We have established policies and strategies 
to ensure that we are a fair, open and market -oriented economy. The legal and 
regulatory  environment to do that has largely been set. Many questions received from 
the WTO Members concern not our polices or laws, but their implementation. We have 
heard you and we agree. Efficient and coherent implementation of policies and laws will 
be our pri ority in the coming years. This includes better coordination among Ministries, 
greater transparency in promulgating our laws and regulations, full implementation of 
our instruments of consultations of the private sector and the civil society; uniform 
application of laws and regulations at the central and provincial level to give confidence 
and predictability to the private sector.  
 
2. Our administrative procedures are still too cumbersome. We need to improve our 
investment climate. While foreign investment in our economy has increased 
substantially, most of it has been in the extraction of our natural resources and in 
hydro -power. Our policy of creating special economic zones and industrial parks has 
been rather successful in attracting investments in manufactu ring. However, they are 
not a panacea: they are concentrated in more favored regions and they have not yet 
had sufficient spill -over effects. We expected that our new investment promotion law 
would improve the business environment and the attractiveness of  Lao PDR as an 
investment destination. The Ease of Doing Business Report of the World Bank has shown 
us, that the reforms are not yet perceived by the business community. My Government 
has taken the report as a blueprint for further reforms. We have adopte d a bottom -up 
approach to define those measures: each Ministry, each Province has been requested to 
propose concrete measures on how they can help reduce the gap between our policies 
and the reality. This might not be the quickest way to come to concrete m easures. 
However, my Government believes that this exercise will not only identify concrete 
measures but will also ensure that they are implemented.  
3. Our licensing procedures are still considered inefficient and burdensome by our business 
community. My Gove rnment is in the process of reviewing both the licenses, as well as 
the procedures in view of facilitating businesses. Concrete steps on how to facilitate 
businesses and how to make the procedures more efficient when licenses are required 
are expected with in the coming months. We count on the business community to actively 
participate in the consultation process that we will establish, and we expect to receive 
useful comments to improve the new regulations and the proposed measures.  
 
4. We will continue our e fforts to open up our economy  to the world. We are aware that 
the global market is changing and trade becomes more and more trade " in parts " than 
"in products ". Lao PDR wants to be part of regional and global value chains including 
garments and electronic in which we are tapping. We are well aware that we will only be 
part of them if the internal conditions are right and if goods and services can flow freely 
and efficiently across our borders. This is why we have given priority to becoming a 
land-linked cou ntry through heavy investments in railways, roads and bridges. This is 
why we have given priority to the implementation of our trade facilitation strategy: over 
90% of the measures of the strategy have already been implemented. In addition, we 
are working hard to improve the regulatory environment in the various services sectors. 
We are convinced that e -commerce is a great opportunity for our development even 
though we face considerable obstacles. This is why Lao PDR has adhered to the Joint 
Statement Initi ative on e -commerce and why we have established inter -ministerial 
working groups to identify what is needed to create a favorable environment for 
e-commerce and to elaborate a strategy for e -commerce. We hope to profit from the 
discussions and negotiations  on e-commerce at the WTO and in other fora to ensure that WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democratic Republic  
 
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  our work to establish a regulatory framework for e -commerce responds to best 
international practices. However, we are afraid that our limited capacities, both at the 
capital, as well as in the dele gation here in Geneva, will not allow us to take full 
advantage of this. Technical assistance in this field is urgently needed: we want an 
international rules framework that is taking into account our development needs and 
that guides us in our internal wo rk. 
 
2.14.   We also want to ensure that our country is integrated into the value chains, which are being 
created in the ICT field. Therefore, the Government is proposing to the National Assembly an offer 
of concessions to join the ITA I and ITA 2. We hope to be a  member of these two agreements in the 
first half of 2020.   
2.15.   Allow me here to express our deep concerns about the erosion of the WTO as the main 
framework of international trade rules and the raise of bilateralism. Lao PDR reaffirms the 
importance it gives  to an inclusive multilateral system for a smooth and fair functioning of the global 
economy, as well as our concern that the DDA, which covers subjects of high priority for our 
development, such as agriculture, is not progressing. Concrete results at the next Ministerial 
Conference are necessary if we do not want the multilateral system to be further eroded. We 
therefore urge all WTO Members to give to the negotiations on agriculture the same priority and 
attention as they give to the so -called new subject s.  
5. We are continuing forcefully our efforts to ensure adequate access of Lao PDR to foreign 
markets. Our priority there is to deepen the integration within ASEAN and to expand the 
agreements of ASEAN with other partners. We are also part of the other nego tiations on 
free trade agreements in the region and we will pursue the negotiations of such 
agreements with our major trading partners. We trust that our more advanced trade 
partners will take into account our development status by agreeing to asymmetric 
agreements. These negotiations have received a new urgency given the fact that we 
may lose some preferences we enjoy now when graduating from LDC status, most 
probably in 2024. We sincerely hope that our partners in the WTO will follow 
recommendations to as sist graduating countries by allowing a smooth transition.  
 
6. One of the major challenges we are facing is to diversify our economy. This requires a 
lot of actions in many fields. We are aware that we need a holistic approach to the 
development of our manufa cturing services sector, and we need to define an 
industrialization policy in line with our commitments and adapted to the needs of value 
chains. Our first and foremost priority is to improve our investment climate. Therefore, 
Lao PDR supports the efforts in the WTO on investment facilitation and signed on to the 
Joint Statement on Investment Facilitation for Development, as well as the one on Micro, 
Small and Medium -sized Enterprises at the 11th Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires. 
But our first concern  is ensuring the full and consistent application of our existing laws. 
Awareness raising and training of both the administration at the central and provincial 
level, as well as of the private sector are needed in all fields related to investments. 
Indeed, a huge task.  
 
2.16.   As you can see, my Government is fully aware of the remaining work and we are determined 
to accomplish it. However, there are so many priorities of actions in a country like Lao PDR and such 
limited capacities, that we are forced to limit our selves to the most urgent. We therefore ask for 
your comprehension and indulgence, if and when we are not going as far and as fast as you may 
consider necessary.  
2.17.   We also encourage you to help us speed up the process by providing us with the necessary 
suppo rt. We are aware that we would not be where we are today without the substantial support we 
have received from many of you. Such support is essential for us.  
- We need technical assistance to ensure that our work and reforms correspond to best 
international practices.  
- My Government has multiple priorities, many of them concerning direct issues of access 
to basic human needs. In the allocation of financial and human resources, the 
Government is, understandably, more responsive to pressures to improve the livi ng 
conditions of the population through actions which have concrete results than to improve 
the economic and trade environment the benefits of which are not visible in the short WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  run. Having the support of you helps us to ensure that these actions receive t he priority 
they deserve.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democratic Republic  
 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DIS CUSSANT  
3.1.  Je reconnais comme un honneur d'avoir été choisi pour intervenir comme discutant dans cette 
première revue de politique commerciale de la République Populaire et Démocratique du Laos, que 
je voudrais remercier. Je voudrais aussi remercier le Secrétariat po ur son travail de préparation de 
cette discussion que je considère d'un grand intérêt.  
• Intérêt systémique puisqu'il s'agit de la première revue de politique commerciale d'un pays 
moins avancé ayant récemment accédé à l'Organisation: nous aurons des leçons  à en tirer.  
 
• Intérêt professionnel car j'ai travaillé sur ces questions d'intégration des PMA à l'économie 
mondiale lorsque je servais dans la direction exécutive du Centre du commerce international 
(ITC).  
 
• Intérêt personnel puisque en tant que responsabl e au sein de l'administration française du 
commerce extérieur j'ai eu la chance de me rendre au Laos et d'y visiter le barrage de Nam 
Theun II, qui a été réalisé en collaboration avec Électricité de France (EDF). Ce barrage de 
Nam Theun II est assez représ entatif d'un certain nombre des enjeux dont nous allons 
discuter, à la fois parce que l'électricité représente 25% des exportations du Laos, mais 
surtout parce que le projet a été conduit dans un souci de développement durable, 
notamment pour l'intégration  économique et la relocalisation des populations qui fait 
honneur à votre Gouvernement.  
 
3.2.  Le but de mes remarques sera donc d'essayer d'identifier, dans votre expérience d'accession 
à l'OMC, les leçons qui pourraient être utiles à d'autres Membres, aux aut res PMA bien entendu, 
mais aussi à tous les Membres de l'Organisation.  
3.3.  Sur les constats de la période écoulée depuis votre accession, à la lecture des rapports, j'ai été 
frappé par deux dimensions de la stratégie que vous avez conduite, Madame la Ministre,  qui sont à 
la fois son ambition et sa précision.  
3.4.  Ambition puisque le premier objectif de votre politique commerciale est de sortir le Laos de la 
catégorie des pays moins avancés. Et vous avez raison, le statut de PMA n'est pas un cocon, n'est 
pas une tra ppe à pauvreté. Le statut de PMA est un statut protecteur qui doit permettre de muscler 
l'économie précisément pour en sortir. Pour le Laos l'objectif est clair depuis l'origine: 2024 sera 
l'année de sortie du statut de PMA, 2030 sera l'année de l'entrée d ans la catégorie des pays à revenu 
intermédiaire. Je crois que quand un pays est capable de formuler un objectif aussi ambitieux cela 
veut dire qu'il est également capable de l'atteindre et j'espère pouvoir célébrer cette sortie du statut 
de PMA en votre c ompagnie dans quelques années.  
3.5.  L'ambition c'est également celle de conduire votre intégration commerciale sans sacrifier les 
enjeux de développement durable. On le voit dans les rapports, qu'il s'agisse des énergies 
renouvelables, de l'exploitation du boi s, de la mise en place de mécanismes de gouvernance inclusifs 
– en particulier le dispositif de consultation du secteur privé ou des forces économiques pour 
l'élaboration de la politique commerciale ou du comité de pilotage interministériel pour la mise en  
œuvre des objectifs de développement durable – on voit que le Laos refuse d'arbitrer entre 
croissance et durabilité. Il veut conjuguer ensemble les trois piliers du développement durable: le 
commerce, l'inclusivité et l'environnement, et c'est un paradigm e de l'économie du futur.  
3.6.  L'ambition encore se traduit dans votre volonté de prendre des responsabilités dans le système 
commercial multilatéral d'abord en notifiant un tarif douanier consolidé qui est assez proche des 
droits appliqués, également dans vot re effort de notification au titre des règles d'origine, du SPS ou 
de l'agriculture. Enfin, dans votre participation à certaines des initiatives plurilatérales de 
l'Organisation, l'Accord sur les technologies de l'information, et la négociation sur la faci litation de 
l'investissement que vous venez d'évoquer.  
3.7.  Mon second mot clé est la précision parce que votre politique, si elle est ambitieuse, n'est 
jamais vague. Elle est précise dans la formulation des objectifs, qui sont souvent chiffrés. On le voit 
dans les rapports, qu'il s'agisse de la réduction du temps de dédouanement, de la diminution du 
coût des exportations, ou de la recherche d'une amélioration du classement de votre pays dans le 
classement "Doing Business" de la Banque mondiale, les résultats à  atteindre sont mesurables.  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  3.8.  Votre politique est également précise dans l'analyse des intérêts commerciaux, je pense en 
particulier au travail très intéressant présenté dans le rapport du Gouvernement sur la mesure des 
enjeux commerciaux de la perte de cer taines préférences associée au statut de PMA qui est très 
précise.  
3.9.  Enfin, votre politique est précise dans la volonté d'évaluer rigoureusement l'efficacité des 
mesures, le lien de causalité entre les actions et les résultats, et la mesure d'impact. Votre rapport 
insiste également sur ce point. Je voudrais d'ailleurs, à titre personnel, me permettre une 
recommandation: poursuivez fermement cette orientation de l'évaluation mais soyez tout de même 
indulgents avec vous -mêmes car, que ce soit pour les pays les  plus avancés ou pour les moins 
avancés, la question de l'évaluation des effets d'une politique de commerce extérieur reste quelque 
chose qui est méthodologiquement très difficile.  
3.10.   Alors est -ce-que justement les résultats sont probants? Je l'espère chers collègues, sinon je 
serais en train de faire un panégyrique naïf. Jugez -en vous -même.  
3.11.   D'abord sur les résultats en volume. Le taux d'ouverture commerciale sur le PIB a connu un 
saut très net  depuis l'accession à l'OMC: les exportations de marchandise sont  passées de moins 
d'1/5ème à près d'un tiers du PIB, sensiblement pareil pour les importations. Les flux d'IDE ont 
doublé de USD 400 à 800 millions depuis l'accession. Ce sont des résultats significatifs, surtout si 
on les compare à une base qui elle -même était en croissance puisque le taux moyen de croissance 
de votre PIB a été de 7% sur la période.  
3.12.   Ces résultats révèlent un enseignement clé qui est celui du lien entre l'attractivité aux 
investisseurs et la compétitivité ou la performance à l'exportation.   
3.13.   Sur le plan de la qualité, je voudrais singulariser un souci qui me paraît constant dans la 
politique menée, c'est celui d'essayer de faciliter peu à peu la vie de l'entreprise et de l'investisseur 
étranger. C'est l'esprit de la loi sur la promotion des investissements adoptée en 2016, c'est ce que 
l'on constate avec:  
• L'effort sur l'automatisation des procédures de dédouanement , qui est maintenant 
opérationnelle sur 24  postes avec un délai moyen réduit de 11, 5 heures à 6,5 heures  ;  
• la feuille de route sur la facilitation des échanges . 
 
3.14.   Ce sont, je crois, des résultats assez probants au moins sur le papier.   
3.15.   Bien sûr, Madame la Ministre, je ne serais pas complet et l'examen serait trop facile si je ne 
disais pas un mot des défis qui at tendent votre Gouvernement. On a le sentiment à la lecture des 
rapports que le cap est très bien fixé, le gros travail législatif a été accompli, mais qu'évidement il 
faut désormais construire pour garantir l'effectivité de la mise en œuvre de ces engageme nts  
3.16.   Le défi numéro 1 reste clairement de préparer la sortie du statut de PMA. Le Laos en a fait 
une bonne analyse. Ce changement de statut entraînera de nouvelles obligations de mise en 
conformité de sa législation vis -à-vis des accords de l'OMC et donc u n gros effort restera à fournir, 
peut-être pas aussi important que celui que vous avez fait pour l'accession, mais le souffle doit être 
maintenu. Ceci est un premier message pour notre assemblée: le Laos aura besoin 
d'accompagnement et d'aide de la part de  ses partenaires commerciaux pour réussir transition hors 
du statut de PMA.   
3.17.   Le deuxième défi c'est celui de la mise en œuvre concrète et effective des législations 
adoptées. C'est un problème que nous connaissons tous très bien, entre la loi et le réel i l y a 
beaucoup d'étapes, il faut des textes d'application, des instructions administratives, de la formation 
des fonctionnaires, parfois il faut du changement de culture administrative, c'est le plus dur à 
réaliser.  
3.18.   Et c'est souvent là que commencent les exemples concrets. Je crois que de très nombreuses 
questions de clarification posées par plusieurs Membres participant à cette discussion le montre, en 
particulier sur les régimes de licence d'investissement, sur les questions de passage en douane, et 
sur l'achèvement des procédures de notification. Il reste du travail à accomplir. Je me suis permis 
en préparant cette réunion de solliciter quelques échos dans les milieux d'affaires étrangers actifs WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democratic Republic  
 
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  au Laos et tous confirment qu'il reste des problèmes d'appl ication effective sur tout le territoire d'un 
certain nombre de législations adoptées.   
3.19.   Une illustration très concrète sur le droit de la propriété intellectuelle qui est reconnu comme 
une priorité de votre plan de développement mais dont les rapports sig nalent que certains 
mécanismes de mise en œuvre, que ce soient ceux des sanctions administratives ou judiciaires 
demeurent, pour le moment, encore un peu insuffisants.  
3.20.   Les milieux d'affaires citent des difficultés sur les questions de gestion de la TVA, pa r exemple. 
Une certaine déception du retard pris par le projet de plateforme électronique de dédouanement 
"Lao National Single Window" qui permettra de traiter électroniquement toutes les opérations 
logistiques aux frontières.  
3.21.   Vous en faites dans votre rap port très lucidement le constat et il y a encore un besoin 
d'assistance technique et de soutien pour ce passage à l'acte concret.  
3.22.   Troisième grand défi c'est de consolider et d'élargir la base productive et exportatrice du Laos.  
3.23.   Ce sont d'abord des enjeux macroéconomiques que je ne commenterai pas beaucoup car ils 
dépassent le cadre de la politique commerciale. Le plus important c'est celui de la productivité du 
travail, en particulier agricole avec un enjeu de formation de la mai n d'œuvre qui apparait, à tous 
égards, comme cruciale pour l'attractivité du pays aux investissements.  
3.24.   Il y a beaucoup d'attentes qui sont formulées par vos partenaires sur l'amélioration du régime 
d'investissement. Nous en parlerons sans doute beaucoup d ans la discussion.  
3.25.   Un point très important qui apparaît dans beaucoup de questions et dans les rapports est 
l'insuffisance des capacités des instances judiciaires pour assurer la fonction d'arbitrage commercial 
qui est, évidemment, un enjeu de garantie et  de prévisibilité pour les investisseurs.  
3.26.   On note d'autres attentes de clarification concrète comme la traduction des documents en 
anglais, le financement des portails d'information sur le commerce, la simplification des régimes 
d'octroi et de renouvellem ent des licences.  
3.27.   Enfin, je voudrais citer un dernier enjeu qui est évoqué dans les différents rapports qui est 
celui de la durabilité dans la filière bois. Le commerce illégal persiste  et il existe un besoin observé 
de meilleure application de la loi sur  la sylviculture, par exemple pour une la transparence du régime 
de distribution des quotas et la mise en place d'un système de traçage. Cet enjeu vous l'avez en 
tête puisque vous avez engagé la discussion d'un accord de partenariat volontaire avec l'Union  
européenne sur cette filière. Comme européen je m'en réjouis bien entendu et je vous souhaite plein 
succès.  
3.28.   Voilà, Monsieur le Président, Madame la Ministre, trois enjeux avec lesquels je voudrais vous 
laisser pour poursuivre cette discussion avec les aut res Membres: préparer la sortie du statut de 
PMA, assurer la mise en œuvre effective des mesures prises pour consolider votre potentiel de 
réforme, et élargir le potentiel exportateur. Mais je voudrais surtout vous laisser avec un message 
personnel et amic al : ne relâchez pas cet effort, ne laissez pas retomber le souffle réformateur qui 
vous a porté pour votre accession.  
3.29.   Madame la Ministre, je vous souhaite bonne chance pour la discussion de ce jour et au -delà 
pour l'accomplissement de votre mission. Une n ouvelle fois je vous remercie de m'avoir associé à 
ces travaux dont je félicite encore le Secrétariat pour la préparation.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBER S 
CANADA  
4.1.  Canada is pleased to participate in Lao PDR's first Trade Policy Review and we would like to 
express our appreciation to Lao PDR's Government and the WTO Secretariat for their high -quality 
reports.  
4.2.  We applaud the Laotian Government's economic progress sinc e its accession to the WTO. It 
has enacted several macroeconomic policies to address structural vulnerabilities and weaknesses, 
and according to its Government Report, Lao PDR sees clear positive developments that should keep 
it on track in its goal of bec oming a middle -income country by 2030. These policies have focused 
mainly on developing its hydropower and attracting foreign investment in the areas of energy, 
natural resources and tourism. The government is also promoting fiscal consolidation by moderni zing 
tax systems and reducing state payroll and operating expenses.  
4.3.  Canada commends steps taken recently by Lao PDR's government to improve the business 
environment. For example, in 2018 the government set up a "one -stop service" window to streamline 
new foreign investment into the country. In February 2019, regulations for new business registration 
came into force, cutting the time taken to set up a company from six months to less than one month. 
Lao PDR has also continued to promote special economic zone s that offer tax and customs incentives 
to attract investors and promote economic diversification. And it has taken significant steps this year 
to implement an electronic National Single Window for customs clearance and duty payment in line 
with ASEAN prio rities. Canada also wishes to commend Lao PDR for its support of the Joint Ministerial 
Statements on E -Commerce and Investment Facilitation for Development, and encourages its full 
participation.  
4.4.  In addition to these positive actions undertaken by the gov ernment, Canada would like to 
acknowledge Lao PDR's commitment to rules -based trade through its participation as a member 
state of ASEAN in exploratory discussions for a possible ASEAN -Canada free trade agreement. In 
this regard, Canada would like to thank  Lao PDR, for generously hosting the second set of exploratory 
discussions in Vientiane in April 2019.  
4.5.  Along with these promising initiatives and progress, there remain areas that would benefit from 
further focus by Lao PDR. Challenges remain which dissuad e foreign companies and investors from 
doing business in Lao PDR in areas such as border -clearance procedures. In the World Bank's 2019 
Doing Business Report, Lao PDR's ranking dropped, and its score was well below the regional 
average. Transparency Intern ational's Corruption Perception Index ranked Lao PDR 132nd out of 
180 countries. This remains a significant challenge for companies attempting to do business in the 
country. Ground -transport costs are more than twice the ASEAN average. Canada also consider s the 
"Conditional List", published in January 2019, restricting foreign investment for security reasons, to 
be unnecessarily expansive. Finally, although infrastructure investment in Lao PDR remains strong, 
the integrity and sustainability of certain proj ects could benefit from enhanced transparency, 
environmental assessment, labour standards and inclusiveness of the economic benefits of the 
projects.  
4.6.  As transparency is a cornerstone of this Organization, Canada calls on Lao PDR to ensure full 
compliance w ith its notification requirements, and we welcome its commitment in this regard as 
outlined in its Government report. Canada also welcomes Lao PDR's timely payment of contributions.  
4.7.  Lao PDR has made great strides in recent years, and Canada believes that b y continuing to 
enact policies that are non -discriminatory, consistent with global standards, and focused on results, 
the many benefits of modern trade will be shared among the Laotian people. On this note, Canada 
also wishes to commend Lao PDR for its sup port of the Buenos Aires Declaration on Women and 
Trade.  
4.8.  In closing, we wish Lao PDR a productive and useful first Trade Policy Review, and we look 
forward to a constructive exchange of views this week.  
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  THAILAND  ON BEHALF  OF ASEAN  
4.9.  Lao PDR became a fellow  ASEAN Member State in 1997 and has been actively contributing to 
ASEAN's community building efforts ever since. For example, Lao PDR has chaired ASEAN twice, first 
in 2004, and most recently in 2016, the year leading up to ASEAN's 50th anniversary. Lao PD R has 
also engaged constructively in ASEAN negotiations, as evidenced in her negotiating roles such as for 
the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. ASEAN is one of Lao PDR's 
biggest trading partners, and ASEAN's regional economic i ntegration efforts are therefore of strategic 
importance to Lao PDR.  
4.10.   Lao PDR has grown from strength to strength in being an active and responsible international 
player. Despite only acceding to the WTO in 2013, Lao PDR has worked tirelessly to support th e 
multilateral trading system. It has been implementing its WTO obligations notwithstanding the heavy 
effort often required of Least Developed Countries (LDCs). In fact, as highlighted in the Secretariat 
report, Lao PDR improved its WTO commitments by rati fying the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement 
(TFA) in 2015, becoming the second LDC to do so. It has also submitted a number of WTO 
notifications to enhance transparency and accords Most -Favoured -Nation treatment to all trading 
partners including non -WTO mem bers. Additionally, Lao PDR has participated in the Joint Statement 
Initiatives on E -Commerce, Investment Facilitation for Development and MSMEs as co -sponsor. It is 
also evident that the membership of Lao PDR in WTO has further strengthened ASEAN's positi on in 
the Multilateral Trading System.  
4.11.   This is Lao PDR's first trade policy review, and in this period, it has shown impressive growth, 
including an average annual GDP growth of approximately 7.3%, with the ratio of trade in goods 
and services to GDP incre asing to around 75% in 2018, from 60% in 2013. Foreign direct investment 
inflows have also increased from approximately USD 426.7 million in 2013 to USD 813.0 million in 
2017. This growth is expected to continue in the years to come.  
4.12.   Lao PDR's success has been due in no small part to the steps it has undertaken to implement 
domestic reforms which encompass almost all trade -related legislation, with substantial progress in 
trade policy in goods and services, customs, public procurement, agriculture, taxation , and other 
areas. Of particular note are its Five Year National Socio -Economic Development Plans, under which 
the legal and regulatory frameworks of Lao PDR's trade and investment regime have improved 
significantly, and the establishment of a National Ste ering Committee for Economic Integration to 
take the lead on international trade policy.  
4.13.   ASEAN congratulates Lao PDR on its remarkable economic performance and developments to 
date, and firmly believes in its sustained progress as it continues along this p ath. ASEAN will continue 
to support Lao PDR through its journey, and in its efforts to graduate from LDC to Developing 
Country. On behalf of ASEAN, we wish Lao PDR a successful first Trade Policy Review.  
THAILAND  
4.14.   At the outset, Thailand would like to assoc iate itself with ASEAN statement.  
4.15.   Thailand and Lao PDR have shared common culture traits, enjoyed robust bilateral relations, 
and worked cooperatively at different levels. Both sides have the synergy to further deepen and 
expand cooperation in areas of mut ual interest, including economics, transportation, education, 
natural resources, environment, and energy. These partnerships have contributed not only to our 
two countries but also to the sustainable prosperity in ASEAN.  
4.16.   Thailand is pleased to highlight th e favourable growth of bilateral trade and investment. 
During the past 10 years, total trade between the two countries constantly increased by an average 
of 12% per year, from USD 2.1 billion in 2009 to USD 6.7 billion in 2018. In ASEAN, Thailand is 
number  one trading partner of Lao PDR, and Lao PDR is the seventh largest trading partner of 
Thailand. In addition, Thailand's cumulative investment tops the chart of ASEAN investors in Lao 
PDR with total value of USD 675 million between 2010 and 2018. Thailand hopes that our bilateral 
trade and investment will continue to grow to further strengthen our economic relations.  
4.17.   Thailand congratulates Lao PDR on its solid average annual economic growth of 7% since 
2013. Trade plays a significant role for Lao PDR to ach ieve its economic objective. Lao PDR has taken WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  various initiatives to continually improve its trade -related and investment policies as well as customs 
procedures. We believe that these efforts will contribute to sustainable and resilient economic growth 
in the country.  
4.18.   Thailand commends Lao PDR's active participation in the multilateral trading system since its 
accession in 2013. We are pleased to learn from the Government report that Lao PDR intends to 
sign on to the Information Technology Agreement or ITA  I and ITA Expansion agreements, 
manifesting its willingness to abide by further liberalization measures. Moreover, as highlighted in 
the Secretariat report, it was the second LDC to ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement and during 
the review period, Lao  PDR fulfilled its notification obligation to the best of its capacities. However, 
Lao PDR has faced challenges in making timely notifications due to lack of capacity in various 
agencies. This is an area that needs technical assistance to improve complianc e under different WTO 
agreements.  
4.19.   In this review, Thailand submitted a set of questions to Lao PDR, covering the measures and 
regulation of our interests such as investment regime, streamlining of customs procedures, and 
dispute settlement proceedings. Th ailand would like to thank Lao PDR for its timely response to our 
questions, and we will study them in detail with great interest.  
4.20.   In conclusion, Thailand would like to express our appreciation to Lao PDR for the cooperation 
in every level and the friendly working relationship between our two Missions here in Geneva. We 
wish Lao PDR every success in this Trade Policy Review.  
CHINA  
4.21.   It is a great pleasure to welcome Minister Khemmani Pholsena and her delegation to Geneva 
for this Trade Policy Review.  
4.22.   I don't think there's any need for me to repeat what has already been said in the Secretariat's 
report and the government Statement of the Lao PDR. Nor there's need to refresh the numbers and 
cases shared by our discussant which provided a good illustratio n of the changes and developments 
that came along with the accession of Lao PDR to the WTO. Today, I just wish to share with you a 
few general observations.  
4.23.   First, accession to the WTO is a tough but right decision for LDCs. I had the privilege of serving 
as the Chair of the Working Party on Lao PDR accession. In this capacity, I visited Laos three times, 
and exchanged extensively with both high -ranking officials and the ordinary citizens about the WTO 
accession. It is through these first -hand experiences t hat I came to appreciate the tremendous 
challenges faced by LDCs such as Lao PDR, in their steps from the calm Mekong river to the roaring 
waves of the Pacific.  
4.24.   During the long, perhaps too long accession negotiations, Minister Khemmani has fully 
demonstra ted her resilience, openness and kindness. She has done a lot of work at home to persuade 
colleagues, including some of her family members, to actively support Lao PDR's accession to the 
WTO. Her contribution and her name will forever be associated with La o PDR's integration into the 
world economy as well as the country's development resulting from the WTO accession.  
4.25.   Second, countries with different economic models can co -exist and mutually adapt under the 
roof of the multilateral trading system. Accession to the WTO is not only a process of accepting and 
being accepted, it is also a process through which countries with different characteristics and 
economic systems become an integral part of the multilateral trading system. This reminds me of 
the beautiful ancient city of Luang Prabang, which stands on the delta shaped by the converging 
currents of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.  
4.26.   The experience of Lao PDR's accession to the WTO clearly shows that whatever the 
development path and economic model, as long as countries have faith in the openness of the 
economy, and accept the general rules of the market economy, they can achieve mutual benefit and 
shared growth with the existing members of the multilateral trading system. In this process, the 
multilateral tradi ng system will also gain greater vitality from increased inclusiveness and diversity.  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democratic Republic  
 
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  4.27.   Third, WTO can help LDCs better integrate into the multilateral trading system. As a Lao's 
colleague once mentioned, the WTO is like a door to international market and w ith Lao PDR's 
accession to the WTO is like a key that is ready to open the door to various opportunities and 
challenges brought by the economic integration. One figure comparison before and after its WTO 
accession impressed me the most, i.e. the average of  foreign direct investment of Lao PDR between 
year 2013 and 2016 is 854 million US dollars, more than three times of that of the prior accession 
period from 2005 to 2012.  
4.28.   WTO is a rules -based system through which rules are negotiated and enforced. But it can also 
be an organization with warmth, because millions of people in the acceding countries, especially 
their youth, rely on the rules of the multilateral trading system to make their lives better. If we look 
back at the requests and questions that we ha ve raised to Lao PDR during its accession, how many 
of those are an absolute must? How many of those are just copy -paste from the other accession 
files? If we could have let go of a bit of bureaucracy, if we could have provided a bit more targeted 
assistan ce to address capacity gaps of the acceding countries, I'm certain that we can significantly 
reduce the average 12 -years needed to bring on board a new member into the WTO family.  
4.29.   Mr. Chair, as I shared with Minister Khemmani, I've made plans to revisit L uang Prabang 
during the upcoming Christmas break together with some Chinese colleagues that have worked on 
the Lao PDR accession. It will be a magical experience as we cruise down the Nam Khan river and 
savour the ancient city at the junction with Mekong, where peace and serenity of what seems to be 
eternity is interwoven with the dynamism of change of times. I wish this trade policy review a full 
success and look forward to the exciting trip in the coming weeks.  
TAJIKISTAN  
4.30.   The Republic of Tajikistan commen ds Lao PDR for significant achievements made since its 
accession to the WTO. Specifically, over the period of last 6 years the real GDP growth in Lao PDR 
has averaged close to 7.3% a year. This enabled the Government to raise the GDP per capita to 
almost U SD 2,6 thousand and to reduce the poverty rate to below 20%.  
4.31.   Lao PDR is the 30th economy that joined the WTO pursuant to Article XII of the WTO 
(Marrakesh) Agreement. Lao PDR has co -sponsored the member -driven initiatives on the "new" 
issues such as e -comm erce, Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) and investment 
facilitation for development at the WTO. We welcome the efforts of Lao PDR, particularly to advance 
WTO reform discussions and its active engagement in the initiatives at the WTO.  
4.32.   We noted co ntinuous engagement of Lao PDR on its complying with the WTO related 
commitments, including categories A, B and C.  
4.33.   The Republic of Tajikistan encourages the Government of Lao PDR to continue with Trade 
Facilitation reforms and wishes Lao PDR a very success ful and productive Trade Policy Review.  
AUSTRALIA  
4.34.   Australia congratulates Lao PDR for undertaking its first WTO Trade Policy Review. The TPR 
process is an important opportunity for Members to review the various aspects of their trade and 
investment regimes ; to acknowledge those aspects working well and identify opportunities for 
improvement.  
4.35.   We commend Lao PDR for its strong economic growth rate, which has averaged over seven 
per cent over the last ten years, and we encourage Lao PDR to continue to pursue an ambitious 
economic reform agenda. In this regard, we acknowledge Lao PDR's focus on fiscal consolidation, 
for example through the adoption of a new Law on Tax Administration, which is expected to come 
into force in January 2020. We encourage Lao PDR to continue efforts to reduce public debt levels, 
which have increased over the last few years.  
4.36.   We acknowledge the Lao PDR Government's focus on diversifying the economy and increasing 
labour productivity to increase resilience and productivity, for example t hrough reform initiatives in 
areas such as access to information, e -government, anti -corruption, investment promotion, and WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  economic dispute resolution. We also welcome the Lao PDR Government's focus on developing its 
human capital through inclusive educati on.  
4.37.   Australia has growing economic interests in Lao PDR. Two -way merchandise trade is currently 
worth about A$ 50 million per year. Australia's main exports to Lao PDR are machinery and 
engineering equipment, while our main imports are telecommunications equipment and parts, 
footwear and jewellery.  
4.38.   Australian businesses have a range of investment interests in Lao PDR, including in forestry, 
banking, logistics, and mining and mining services. Australia encourages Laos to continue to 
prioritise the further strengthening of its foreign investment environment to encourage quality 
foreign investment as a means of spurring economic growth and diversification. We welcome the 
establishment of a coordination mechanism on Doing Business in Lao PDR, and encourage the  
government to double down on its efforts to simplify business regulations, and increase the economic 
competitiveness of its firms.  
4.39.   We commend Lao PDR for its commitment to the multilateral trading system since its WTO 
accession in 2013. Domestic legislati ve reforms are helping integrate Lao PDR into the global trade. 
Lao PDR was the second Least -Developed Country to join the Trade Facilitation Agreement in 2015, 
and a number of recent trade facilitation measures have seen significantly improved customs 
clearance times.  
4.40.   Australia encourages Lao PDR to continue to leverage the opportunities that its WTO 
membership presents. We welcome Lao PDR's participation in the joint statement initiatives on 
e-commerce and investment facilitation, and encourage Lao PDR t o participate in the services 
domestic regulation JSI open -ended negotiations.  
4.41.   We are pleased to be supporting Lao PDR to join the Information Technology Agreement. We 
are also assisting Lao PDR through WTO technical assistance initiatives such as the Enha nced 
Integrated Framework and the Standards and Trade Development Facility.  
4.42.   We note Lao PDR has submitted notifications under several WTO agreements over the review 
period, although some regular notifications - for example on domestic support to agricultu re, import 
licensing procedures, and subsidies - were received only once during the review period. We 
encourage Lao PDR to submit more regular and timely notifications and to seek assistance wherever 
necessary in order to do so. Notifications by all Member s are important for the effective functioning 
of the WTO.  
4.43.   Australia submitted a number of questions to Lao PDR covering investment reforms and 
regulations, transport and logistics, the establishment of a national single window, and IP rights. We 
look forwa rd to reviewing the responses to these questions, and to engaging over the coming days 
in what we anticipate will be a successful inaugural trade policy review for Lao PDR.  
THE SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU  
4.44.   We are pleased to note sin ce its WTO accession in 2013, Lao PDR has undertaken second 
constitutional amendment and several regulatory reforms, which contributes to its average annual 
GDP growth of 7.3%, with the ratio of trade to GDP increasing from 60% to 75% in 2018 since its 
accession.  
4.45.   With its Five Year National Socio -Economic Development Plans and the establishment of a 
National Steering Committee for Economic Integration, we expect the Lao PDR will continue its 
remarkable economic performance, and we welcome further liberaliza tion of its economy.  
4.46.   During the review period, Lao improved its WTO commitments by ratifying the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in 2015. We acknowledged this effort and encourage Lao to remain 
committed to the multilateral trading system, and to improve its regular notifications (i.e. domestic 
support to agriculture, import licensing procedures, and subsidies) that were received only once 
during the review period.  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democratic Republic  
 
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  4.47.   Apart from that, we believe Lao deserves special praise for its preparation on the G raduation 
from LDC status. As the out of the graduation criteria expected to be achieved in 2021, Lao PDR will 
graduate from LDC in 2024. Of course, new risks and challenges will follow, but we are more than 
happy to provide technical assistances and help build capacity for Lao.  
4.48.   We are strengthening relations with ASEAN and south Asia countries, including Lao PDR. 
People of Lao can now apply for Visa online provided certain conditions are fulfilled. We welcome all 
kinds of cooperation and are confident that  our relation will grow stronger in the future.  
4.49.   My delegation has already submitted written questions in advance, relating to various topics, 
such as its trade and investment regime, its control over African Swine Fever, and especially its 
regulation on VA T system and the renewal procedures of investment licences, which has huge effects 
on the operation of our businesses in Lao. We look forward to Lao's replies in due course.  
4.50.   I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Permanent Mission of Lao PDR f or their 
active participation on topics like e -commerce and MSMEs. and Mr. Kiengkhammanh, Counselor of 
the Lao Mission who is about to leave, for his long -time friendship. We wish him all the best in his 
future endeavours.  
4.51.   Finally, we wish Lao a very cons tructive and successful first -time Trade Policy Review.  
HONG  KONG,  CHINA  
4.52.   I would like to extend a warm welcome to the delegation from Lao People's Democratic 
Republic led by Minister Khemmani Pholsena. I would also like to thank Mr Jean -Marie Paugam for 
serving as the discussant and his insightful introductory remarks.  
4.53.   We congratulate Lao PDR on its robust growth in external trade, reaching USD 11.6 billion in 
2018, since its accession into the WTO in 2013. With its continued efforts in advancing trade 
liberalisation and facilitation, we believe Lao PDR stands ready to benefit from a freer and more open 
trade regime.  
4.54.   Hong Kong, China (HKC) and Lao PDR have long been enjoying harmonious bilateral trade 
and economic relations. We always treasure Lao PDR as a v aluable trading partner on its own and 
as a Member State of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).  
4.55.   Our bilateral trade in goods amounted to US$31 million in 2018, representing a 16% year -
on-year increase. We see ample room for further growth, especially with the entry into force of the 
ASEAN -HKC Free Trade Agreement.  
4.56.   We appreciate Lao PDR's effort in bringing the Free Trade Agreement and the related 
Investment Agreement into force in June 2019, making Lao PDR among the first batch of ASEAN 
Memb er States ratifying both Agreements.  
4.57.   On Trade Facilitation, we commend Lao PDR's efforts in fulfilling the transparency notification 
requirements under the TFA. We are also encouraged to see the country's commitment in its Trade 
Facilitation Road Map for 2 017-22, which aims to implement TFA measures in an accelerated 
time-bound manner to cut down the cost of trading. According to Lao PDR, about 90% of the 
measures in the Road Map have already been implemented, covering single window, risk 
management, transp arency and advance ruling etc. We congratulate Lao PDR's good work done.  
4.58.   On tariffs, we note that the simple average applied MFN tariff for Lao PDR has been reduced 
from 11.0% in 2008 to 8.6% in 2018, and we applaud Lao PDR's efforts in tariff reduction an d 
elimination of tariff peaks.  
4.59.   However, as at June 2019, Lao PDR's MFN applied tariff exceeded the bound tariff for 26 lines. 
We take note of the explanation that the variations are due to changes in tariff nomenclature and 
Lao PDR's intention to rectify t hem. In this regard, we hope that the rectification will be made as 
soon as practicable.  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  4.60.   In respect of standards and technical regulations, we commend Lao PDR for its efforts in the 
passage and implementation of the Law on Standardization of 2014 and the a lignment of most of 
its national standards with international standards.  
4.61.   Lao PDR is actively participating in the on -going structured discussions of the Joint Statement 
Initiative on Investment Facilitation for Development as well as the work of the other two Joint 
Statement Initiatives including e -commerce and MSMEs. We look forward to working closely with 
Lao PDR to bring forward the discussions with a view to bringing concrete benefits to developing and 
least-developed countries.  
4.62.   The agricultural sector in Lao PDR continues to be relatively protected as compared with 
non-agricultural sectors in terms of tariffs. We encourage Lao PDR to reduce its bound rates and to 
bring its applied MFN rate to below the bound rate for agricultural products.  
4.63.   We also urge Lao PDR to submit export subsidies notifications covering the periods after 
calendar year 2013 to increase transparency.  
4.64.   Services sector is the largest contributor to Lao PDR's GDP, accounting for a share of 47% in 
2018. Continued liberalization of trade i n services would be crucial for further economic growth and 
sustainable development. We look forward to more liberalisation measures in services trade to be 
introduced by Lao PDR.  
4.65.   HKC looks forward to further fostering the bilateral trade, economic and inv estment relations 
with Lao PDR. We would like to thank Lao PDR for its replies to our written questions, which we will 
review carefully. HKC wishes Lao PDR a very successful Trade Policy Review.  
MALAYSIA  
4.66.   We noted that since its accession to the WTO on 2 Fe bruary 2013, Lao has made substantial 
efforts in developing new laws or reviewing and amending existing laws and regulations in order to 
be consistent with the various WTO agreements. The admission of Lao also demonstrates that the 
WTO is an inclusive orga nisation for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). In addition, Lao's 
membership in the WTO has strengthened ASEAN's position in the multilateral trading system.  
4.67.   In terms of Lao -Malaysia's bilateral trade, in 2018, Lao was ranked as 9th largest trading 
partner  in ASEAN. As at 2018, imports from Lao into Malaysia amounted to USD 7.2 million, an 
increase of 30.2% from USD 5.5 million in 2017 while Malaysia's exports to Lao recorded 
USD 10.1 million, decreased by 29.6% from USD 14.4 million in 2017.  
4.68.   For the period  of January -August 2019, imports from Lao into Malaysia increased by 36.9%, 
from USD 4.5 million to USD 6.2 million for the period of January -August 2018. However, we note 
that there is a slight decrease in the total exports from Malaysia to Lao amounting to USD 4.9 million 
from USD 7.2 million for the same period of 2018.  
4.69.   Electronic and electronic products constitute Malaysia's largest exports to the Lao (21.8%), 
followed by iron and steel products (13.2%), manufactures of metal (10.8%), chemicals and 
chem ical products (8.8%), processed food (7.9%). Major imports from Lao were electrical and 
electronic products (40.7%), machinery, equipment and parts (22.2%), textiles, apparels and 
footwear (11.4%), tin (10.5%) and chemicals and chemical products (7.0%).  
4.70.   In addition, Malaysia's investments in Lao have increased in the last few years. In 2018, 
Malaysia's total investment into Lao amounted USD 18.1 million, a significant increase of 45.8% 
from USD 12.4 million in 2017.  
4.71.   It is estimated that around 25 Malaysian companies operating in Lao in various economic 
sectors notably banking, mining, and manufacturing as well as construction sectors apart from 
hydropower plant projects.  
4.72.   The ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) marked L ao's first comprehensive regional trade 
agreement. Being a part of ASEAN, Lao has jointly signed ASEAN Plus One FTAs with China, India, WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democratic Republic  
 
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  Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong and is part of the recently concluded Regional 
Comprehensive Economic  Partnership (RCEP) Agreement.  
4.73.   At the multilateral front, we commend Lao's continuing efforts to notify the WTO Members 
about developments in its trade policies as envisaged by the WTO Agreements and its intention to 
sign on to the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) I and ITA Il agreements. Despite being a 
landlocked country, Lao has a keen interest to fully implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement 
(TFA), in order to expedite all trade and customs procedures. It has accepted the Protocol 
incorporatin g the T FA into the WTO Agreement on 29 September 2015, being the second LDC to do 
so. 
4.74.   We would also like to highlight on Lao's active participation and contribution in supporting the 
development of new issues by co -sponsoring the three Joint Statement Ini tiatives namely, the Joint 
Statement on E -commerce, the Joint Statement on Investment Facilitation for Development and the 
Joint Statement on MSMEs. This shows Lao's openness in adapting to a changing world by being 
part of all these new initiatives.  
4.75.   To co nclude, we thank the Lao's response to our questions, and we shall examine the 
responses with great interest. We wish Lao a productive and successful First Trade Policy Review.  
UNITED  STATES  
4.76.   The United States has supported Lao PDR both through the WTO acce ssion process and 
subsequent implementation of its WTO commitments for more than a decade, including through the 
U.S. Agency for International Development's technical assistance. Further, the United States has 
worked closely with Lao PDR since the launch o f our 2016 Trade and Investment Framework 
Agreement (TIFA) to enhance bilateral economic relations. We appreciated the Government's 
partnership, led by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in hosting our second U.S. -Lao PDR TIFA 
Joint Trade and Investmen t Committee meeting this past January 2019. We remain committed to 
working together to resolve bilateral concerns in order to facilitate increased trade between our 
countries, which reached USD 157 million in two -way trade in 2018.  
4.77.   The United States applau ds Lao PDR's efforts to improve its WTO commitments through its 
ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and appreciated the updates from the 
Government on the implementation status. We recognize Lao PDR has completed or is on track to 
comple te its Category A, B, and C notifications. Full and expedient implementation of the TFA will 
facilitate trade between Lao PDR and the rest of the world, particularly for small and medium -sized 
traders.  
4.78.   The Government of Lao PDR is taking action to further develop its digital economy, including 
by joining the Joint Statement Initiative on E -Commerce in January 2019. We are working with Lao 
PDR and other members towards a high -standard outcome that would deliver commercially 
meaningful outcomes for firms and consumers. Commitment to meaningful digital trade rules, 
including prohibiting mandatory data localization requirements and guaranteeing the unrestricted 
flow of data across borders, will ensure that small and medium -sized Lao companies benefit from 
access  to innovative global digital economy. The United States also encourages Lao PDR to sign on 
to the WTO Information Technology Agreement, as noted in the Government Report.  
4.79.   The United States has been a strong partner in Lao PDR's efforts to strengthen intel lectual 
property (IP) protection and enforcement, including by joining the Madrid Protocol in 2016 and 
amending the Law on Intellectual Property to increase transparency and expedite judicial resolution. 
We urge the Lao PDR to continue to take steps to imp rove IP protection and enforcement, including 
through developing judicial capacity to adjudicate IP cases and increasing public awareness of the 
importance of IP.  
4.80.   We recognize the Government's progress in enhancing transparency, including through the 
launc h of the Lao Electronic Official Gazette website. The United States encourages Lao PDR's to 
make every effort to comply with its notification obligations, in order to provide transparency for 
Members and traders, and to formalize mechanisms to facilitate s takeholder consultations. Such 
notifications and transparency endeavours will serve to further connect Lao PDR to global markets WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  and supply chains by providing traders the information they need to do business, and serve to 
strengthen the proper functioning  and operation of WTO Agreements.  
4.81.   In closing, our written questions reflect our interest in understanding Lao PDR's policies in 
these and other areas, including customs, government procurement, financial services, and the 
environment. The large number of o ur questions reflects the United States' continued interest in Lao 
PDR's reforms and desire to strengthen our trade and economic cooperation both bilaterally and at 
the WTO.  
4.82.   We appreciate the responses to our questions and hope this review has been useful for the 
Government delegation.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
4.83.   As noted by the discussant, and for similar reasons, the EU also commends Lao PDR's efforts 
to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2024. Indeed, since its WTO accession in 
2013, and notwithsta nding the floods in 2018, Lao PDR's economy has been strong, mainly 
underpinned by expanding investments in large infrastructure and construction projects. Economic 
growth has resulted in a decline in poverty levels. To reduce poverty even further, the EU calls on 
Lao PDR to step up action to improve workforce training, public education and health services, and 
to address gender equality.  
4.84.   The services sector is the main contributor to GDP, with increased activities in the wholesale 
and retail business, as w ell as banking and insurance, in particular microfinance. Tourism, a sector 
of key importance to Lao PDR's social and economic development, expanded even if remains 
dependent on regional arrivals. Tourism provides high foreign exchange earnings, supports t he 
expansion of other services (such as telecoms, banking, insurance and transport), and delivers 
strong employment opportunities.   
4.85.   Since its accession, Lao PDR has implemented its commitments by updating its trade -related 
and investment policies, and ado pting some institutional and regulatory reform initiatives in areas 
such as access to information, e -government, anti -corruption, investment promotion, and economic 
dispute resolution). The EU sees these steps as a demonstration that WTO accession generate d 
reforms have the potential to lead Lao PDR towards further integration into global trade and a 
sustainable growth.  
4.86.   During the review period, Lao PDR improved its WTO commitments by ratifying the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement on in 2015 and notifying its C ategory A, B and C commitments. Lao PDR also 
signed the Madrid Protocol, which entered into force in March 2016.  
4.87.   The EU welcomes the fact the Lao PDR has joined a number of Joint Statement Initiatives 
such as for e -commerce, investment facilitation for dev elopment and MSMEs and also signed the 
Buenos Aires declaration on women's economic empowerment and would be interested in learning 
more about any recent activities taken upon by Lao PDR in those areas of work and encourage 
further engagement in the discus sions in the WTO.  
4.88.   Furthermore, the EU would encourage Lao PDR to consider becoming a Party of the plurilateral 
Agreement on Government Procurement in the future, notably as a new Law on Public Procurement 
was promulgated in 2017 with the objective to "secu re effective, efficient, economic, transparent, 
accountable and fair use of government funds in contribution to national socio -economic 
development".  
4.89.   During the review period, Lao PDR submitted notifications (e.g. tariffs, trade facilitation, 
customs valua tion, rules of origin, import licensing procedures, SPS, subsidies, agriculture, and 
RTAs/services). However, its regular notifications (i.e. domestic support to agriculture, import 
licensing procedures, and subsidies) were received only once during the re view period. In order to 
enhance transparency, the EU urges Lao PDR to submit its outstanding notifications according to its 
WTO commitments by developing relevant inter -ministerial mechanisms and request specific 
technical assistance.  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democratic Republic  
 
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  4.90.   We also note that L ao PDR has made significant progress in improving customs procedures 
and aligning them to international standards (e.g. automation of customs offices and the introduction 
of risk management regarding inspection). These measures, along with other initiative s, such as 
coordinated border management and post -clearance audits, have resulted in quicker customs 
clearance.  
4.91.   The EU has an important relationship with Lao PDR. We work closely with Lao PDR in the 
context of the EU -ASEAN Cooperation Agreement with the go al to ensure an effective environment 
for trade and investment relations. The EU is Lao PDR's fourth trading partner, with imports from 
Lao PDR concentrated on garment and textiles. Being still a LDC, Lao PDR benefits from duty -free 
and quota -free access t o the EU market under our "Everything But Arms" (EBA) preferential 
arrangement.  
4.92.   Lao PDR and the EU, together with its Member States, are also important partners in 
development cooperation. In line with Lao PDR's development plan, cooperation focuses mainly  on 
support to (1) education; (2) sustainable agriculture and food and nutrition security; and 
(3) governance, human rights and the rule of law. Our multi -annual indicative programme for 
Lao PDR allocates € 203 million in 2014 -2020.  
4.93.   Finally, the EU would a lso like to highlight a few challenges, some related to the questions we 
addressed earlier.  
4.94.   First, the EU notes that Lao PDR is committed to a broader reform process aimed at improving 
the business climate and thus encourages Lao PDR to improve the environ ment for private 
investments including foreign direct investment. This requires deeper cooperation and coordination 
of the ministerial departments, among other efforts, as well as a more frequent and comprehensive 
consultation of the private sector. We als o encourage Lao PDR to strengthen its attempts to combat 
fraud, corruption and money laundering.  
4.95.   Second, Lao PDR's economy relies heavily on natural resources (minerals, electricity and 
agriculture) and hence, remains vulnerable and highly exposed to risks  linked to both natural 
disasters and external shocks. We support Lao PDR in its continued efforts to diversify its export 
basket and to develop productive sectors with high potential for growth and job creation.  
4.96.   On behalf of the EU, I look forward to a constructive exchange of views during this Trade 
Policy Review and wish the delegation of Lao People's Democratic Republic the best of success.  
PHILIPPINES  
4.97.   The Philippines associates itself with the ASEAN statement delivered by Thailand earlier, 
commending  Lao PDR's remarkable economic performance and developments in the past years and 
recognizing its contribution to the ASEAN's community building efforts since its accession to the 
group in 1997.  
4.98.   Bilateral relations between the Philippines and Lao PDR forma lly started in 1955. Since then, 
we concluded several bilateral agreements in various sectors with Lao PDR, including a Memorandum 
of Understanding in 2008 establishing the Philippines -Lao PDR Joint Commission for Bilateral 
Cooperation, which seeks to faci litate consultations and cooperation in various fields like economics, 
health, education, agriculture, forestry and the environment.  
4.99.   Trade relations between our two countries show a modest but growing trend in the recent 
years. In 2018 alone, Philippine ex ports to Lao PDR almost doubled, while imports from Lao 
expanded by 350.65%. Among the top traded commodities between our countries are cigarettes 
and iron grill from the Philippines, and potassium chloride and chemical fertilizers from Lao PDR.  
4.100.   The Philip pines commends Lao PDR's strong GDP growth, averaging over 7% annually since 
its accession to the WTO in 2013. We also recognize the four key priorities in Lao PDR's domestic 
and foreign trade policies, which include (a) ensuring compliance of domestic law s with best 
international standards and practices, (b) diversifying away from over -reliance on natural resources 
and increasing labour productivity, (c) developing and reinforcing human capital, and WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  (d) improvement of business environment and investment cl imate. We believe these priorities are 
on track with Lao PDR's efforts to succeed from LDC to developing country status.  
4.101.   Further, the Philippines shares Lao PDR's recognition of the important role MSMEs in 
achieving inclusive growth and sustainable develop ment, and we look forward to continue working 
together in advancing this initiative in the WTO.  
4.102.   The Philippines submitted some advance written questions on the TPR reports, and we thank 
the delegation of Lao PDR for their prompt replies.  
4.103.   In closing, the P hilippines looks forward to further enhancing the mutually beneficial 
economic relations between our countries in the bilateral, regional, and multilateral fora.  
REPÚBLICA  DOMINICANA  
4.104.   Deseamos felicitar a Lao por el constante desarrollo de su economía, segú n el informe de la 
Secretaría, Lao viene registrando un fuerte crecimiento del PIB. Este desarrollo, se ha visto 
impulsado principalmente por los sectores de la generación de energía eléctrica, la construcción, el 
comercio mayorista y minorista, la informa ción y las comunicaciones y, en menor grado, los servicios 
financieros. Es importante resaltar que, según las proyecciones en 2024, la RDP de lao se encuentra 
en el camino de abandonar su condición de PMA.  
4.105.   Las importaciones y exportaciones siguen creciend o, siendo los principales destinos 
Tailandia, seguida de China y Vietnam. En cuanto a la Inversión Extranjera Directa evaluamos que 
han aumentado de manera sustancial superando los USD 800 millones durante el período objeto de 
examen, principalmente en la generación de energía eléctrica, las infraestructuras, la minería y la 
fabricación de componentes eléctricos.  
4.106.   Alentamos a que sigan tomando pasos para atraer la inversión extranjera, intensificando los 
esfuerzo para aumentar la competitividad.  
4.107.   Notamos tamb ién que la economía de Laos ha presentado ciertos desafíos, que afectan al 
crecimiento económico y hacen que la economía y el sistema financiero sean vulnerables a las crisis. 
En ese sentido, para afrontar algunos de estos problemas estructurales, Laos ado ptó medidas, tales 
como políticas monetarias y cambiara, manteniendo un cambio estable frente a la moneda 
estadounidense lo cual se ha traducido en una apreciación del tipo de cambio efectivo real.  
4.108.   Igualmente, examinamos que Laos ha realizado ciertas noti ficaciones a la OMC de las cuales 
podemos mencionar las relativas a los aranceles, la facilitación del comercio, la valoración en 
aduana, entre otras.  
4.109.   Es importante destacar que, en el 2013, el Gobierno de Lao modificó la Ley de Alimentos y 
la modificació n de la Ley de Protección Fitosanitaria y Cuarentena Vegetal, armonizando los 
reglamentos vigentes con las normas internacionales y aplicar las mejores prácticas mundiales.   
4.110.   Por otra parte, la RDP Lao es miembro de la Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual 
(OMPI) desde 1995. También es parte contratante de varios tratados administrados por la OMPI, así 
como el Convenio de París (1998), el Tratado de Cooperación en materia de Patentes (2006) y el 
Convenio de Berna (2012). Tras su adhesión a la OMC , la RDP Lao firm ó el Protocolo de Madrid, que 
entró en vigor en marzo de 2016.  
4.111.   Para concluir, en el área de Facilitación del Comercio apreciamos que el Gobierno de Lao ha 
demostrado su compromiso, ratificando el acuerdo de Facilitación del Comercio de l a OMC, 
adoptando medidas, haciendo progresos considerables en cuanto a la mejora de sus procedimientos 
aduaneros y la armonización de estos con las normas internacionales.  
4.112.   Finalmente, reconocemos los esfuerzos de las autoridades de República Democrática P opular 
Lao para el desarrollo de este Examen de las Políticas Comerciales, por lo que le deseamos una 
efectiva implementación de sus planes de desarrollo a los fines de que estos se puedan convertir en 
resultados positivos para su economía y su intercambio  comercial.  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democratic Republic  
 
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  ICELAND  
4.113.   Iceland would like to congratulate Lao for the comprehensive reforms in the legal, 
institutional and economic framework aiming at aligning the national legislation with the legal 
frameworks of the WTO and the ASEAN, as well as other be st international practices. The reforms 
have resulted in notable progress and impressive economic growth.  
4.114.   At the Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires in 2017 more than 120 WTO members and 
observers launched a joint declaration on Women and Economic empow erment that aims at sharing 
best practices and working together here at the WTO to remove barriers for women's economic 
empowerment and increase their participation in trade. We note that the report from the Secretariat 
mentions the importance of gender co nsiderations in relation with economic development.  
4.115.   The report from the PDR makes a some very important recommendations in this respect, 
such as more engagement with the private sector and, in particular, with associations of 
Businesswomen and women entrep reneurs.  
4.116.   We congratulate PDR for joining Vientiane Declaration on Sustainable Rural Transport to 
promote inclusive, affordable, accessible and sustainable rural transport infrastructure and services, 
thus facilitating improved access to basic utilities and  services including health and education among 
others for girls and women. Such initiative can play a key role in promoting the economic 
participation of women in rural areas.  
4.117.   The trade policy review provides an excellent opportunity to share best practice s in this field. 
Iceland submitted advance written questions on the participation of women in the economy of Lao. 
We look forward to reviewing the answers to our written questions. The answers are very useful as 
we implement the Joint Declaration on Trade and Women's Economic Empowerment and gather best 
practices.  
4.118.   Iceland appreciates Lao' s engagement in WTO and their continued support for the 
multilateral trading system. We wish the delegation of Lao every success for their first Trade Policy 
Review.  
VIET  NAM 
4.119.   We would like to associate ourselves with the ASEAN statement delivered by Ambassador 
Sunanta Kangvalkulkij of Thailand.  
4.120.   At the outset, Viet Nam congratulates Lao PDR for its strong and steady economic growth 
during the time period of this review. Up to now, the real GDP growth rate in Lao PDR has averaged 
close to 7.3% per year. This is due in large part to Laos diverse pro duction, export base and general 
openness to trade, relatively liberal and investor -friendly regime. These have helped drive domestic 
reforms, create jobs, and reduce poverty and inequality.  
4.121.   At the multilateral level, Viet Nam highly commends Lao PDR's co mmitment and efforts in 
deepening its integration and supporting the multilateral trading system by, among other things, 
ratifying the WTO Trade facilitation Agreement (TFA) in 2015 and submitting a number of WTO 
notifications. It is very encouraging to hi ghlight Lao PDR's participation in several initiatives coming 
out of MC11, including on MSMEs, E -commerce and Investment Facilitation for Development.  
4.122.   We have noted with appreciation point 4.3 in the Government's report that states that Lao 
PDR is committ ed to modernize its policy framework, promoting a transparent and liberal trade and 
investment environment, especially within the rules -based multilateral trading system of the WTO.  
4.123.   Allow me to provide some impressive highlights about bilateral trade and i nvestment 
relationship between Lao PDR and Viet Nam.  
4.124.   Regarding the bilateral trade, Viet Nam shares a warm and long -standing economic 
relationship with Lao PDR, our closest neighbour. Our relations are underpinned by strong trade, 
investment and people -to-people ties. Currently, Lao PDR is the Viet Nam's seventh -largest trading 
partner in ASEAN and fortieth -largest trading partner in the world. In 2018, the trade volume WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  between Laos and Viet Nam reached USD 1.03 billion, up by 16% compared to that of 2017. In the 
first quarter of 2019, the total value bilateral reached USD 172 million, up by 13.1%. These numbers 
are a clear demonstration of our strengthening economic cooperation.  
4.125.   In terms of the investment, Viet Nam is one of the biggest foreign investors i n Lao PDR. Up 
to now, there are 413 projects of Vietnamese enterprises in Lao PDR, with a total investment of 
USD 3.9 billion. These projects cover numerous sectors, including agriculture, industries, handicraft, 
and mining, bringing mutual benefits to bot h of our economies.  
4.126.   The bilateral trade and investment relationship between Lao PDR and Viet Nam are now in 
the period of healthy and comprehensive development. We strongly believe that we will have many 
potential opportunities to advance. Therefore, to f urther enhance bilateral trade, we would kindly 
suggest our countries to continue promoting the connection of the two economies, especially trade, 
energy, settlement of existing issues to make economic cooperation more effective, commensurate 
with the pote ntials of the two countries.  
4.127.   Sharing the long line of border, Lao PDR is not only Viet Nam's geographically close 
neighbour, but also a very significant trading partner. In that sense, I would like to conclude my 
statement by wishing Lao PDR every success  in its economic and social transformation and the Laos 
delegation a very productive and successful Trade Policy Review. We extend our warm appreciation 
to the team in Geneva for the cooperation and the friendly working relationship between our two 
Mission s here in Geneva.  
SINGAPORE  
4.128.   First, Singapore wishes to commend Lao PDR for its commitment to free and fair trade and 
its support for the multilateral trading system. Although Lao DPR, as a LDC, faces numerous capacity 
constraints, it has worked hard to sub mit its notifications in many areas, including tariffs, trade 
facilitation, customs valuation, rules of origin, SPS, and RTAs. Lao PDR  was also the second LDC to 
ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). Additionally, we are heartened by Lao PDR's 
commitment, as stated in its Government report1, "to keep pace with developments in the global 
economy ". This commitment is illustrated by Lao PDR's co -sponsorships of the Joint Statement 
Initiatives (JSIs) on E -Commerce, Investment Facilitation for Development and MSMEs.  Lao PDR's 
efforts have borne fruit, as seen from its impressive GDP growth, averaging over 7% annually, s ince 
its accession to the WTO in 2013.  Going forward, we encourage Lao PDR to continue participating 
actively in, and contribut ing to, the global trading system.  
4.129.   Second, as a fellow member of ASEAN, Singapore welcomes Lao PDR's efforts to deepen its 
integration with the region through timely implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 
Blueprint commitments. We particularl y commend the work undertaken by Lao PDR in improving 
trade facilitation in the region, including through establishing its National Trade Repository and its 
National Single Window. To harness the full potential from regional trade, we encourage Lao PDR to 
ratify (a) the ASEAN Agreement on E -Commerce and (b) the tenth and last Package of Commitments 
under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS). These agreements will enable 
companies from Lao PDR to be better positioned to reap the benefits of enhan ced digital connectivity 
and services liberalisation in the region.  
4.130.   Third, Singapore looks forward to growing bilateral trade and people -to-people ties with Lao 
PDR. Our bilateral trade is healthy, having grown over the past five years at an annual rate of  2.4% 
to reach USD 51.4 million in 2018. Just over a week ago, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore 
(IPOS) and the Department of Intellectual Property of Lao PDR also signed a Memorandum of 
Cooperation, which allows Singapore -granted patents to be  registered in Lao PDR, thereby 
accelerating business access into both markets. The Memorandum of Cooperation will also provide 
greater support to innovators to expand and protect their Intellectual Property in Lao PDR, which in 
turn, will encourage enterp rise and innovation flow in the country.  
4.131.   Singapore also welcomes Lao PDR's efforts to improve its investment regime, including 
through constitutional amendments to enhance transparency and enforcement of the rule of law, 
                                                
1 "Meanwhile, in recognizing the need to keep pace with the developments in the global economy, Lao 
PDR has also co -sponsored the member -driven initiatives on the "new" issues: e -commerce, Micro, Small and 
Medium enterprises (MSMEs) and investment facilitatio n at the WTO ". WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democratic Republic  
 
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  which has strengthened investors' c onfidence in the market. In 2017, Singapore's stock investments 
in Lao PDR amounted to USD 142.4 million , representing an increase of 18.3% since 2013 . The 
number of Singaporeans visiting Lao PDR has also increased, with more than 7,000 Singaporean 
visitor s in 2018, which represents a 13% year -on-year increase. We can expect this number to grow, 
as more Singaporeans become more aware of the trade and investment opportunities that Lao PDR 
has to offer. In this context, it is important for Lao PDR to strength en international commercial 
dispute resolution to better support business needs, and Singapore looks forward to working with 
Lao PDR in this area.  
4.132.   To conclude, Singapore looks forward to further strengthening our relations with Lao PDR, 
on the multilateral , regional and bilateral fronts. We wish Lao PDR every success for its inaugural 
TPR and congratulate them for their achievements thus far.  
CAMBODIA  
4.133.   Cambodia associates itself with the statement made by Thailand on behalf of the ASEAN and 
Chad on behalf of  the LDCs.  
4.134.   My delegation also congratulates Lao DPR for its remarkable economic growth at around 
7.3% since its successful accession to the WTO in 2013. It is notable progress in its reforms including 
its trade policy and economy.  
4.135.   We also applaud Lao DPR for its important role in the Multilateral Trading System, especially 
for its active participations in all activities including the works that are important and priority to 
LDCs. We commend and thank the delegation of Laos DPR in Geneva led by 
H.E. Ambassa dor Kham -Inh and his excellent team for their good cooperation and hard works. We 
also commend Lao PDR for its role in contributing to building ASEAN's community and engaging in 
ASEAN negotiations.  
4.136.   For the bilateral relation, the friendship and cooperation  between Cambodia and Laos PDR 
have developed smoothly since the establishment of our diplomatic relation in 1956. Cambodia and 
Lao PDR are sharing border have similar tradition and standard of living can compare as a sibling. 
Recently, we had agreed to en hance cooperation in education, information, agriculture, tourism, 
culture, health, post, telecommunication, electricity and consular services.  
4.137.   Cambodia and Lao DPR have committed to intensifying coordination and cooperation in 
regional and sub -regional f ora such as in ASEAN, CLMV, ACMECS, GMS, Mekong Cooperation and 
the framework of the United Nations through promoting the collaboration, information sharing and 
mutual support to ensure peace, security and sustainable development.  
4.138.   Moreover, the two nations  have long been working hard to promote investment and trade 
cooperation through construction of the new international border checkpoint. The investment, 
exports and imports of both sides have remarkable growth in the recent years.  
4.139.   To increase the exports including to other markets and attract more investment, the 
preferential scheme under this organization is a must. The importance of the special and differential 
treatment and technical assistance are also needed.  
4.140.   My delegation joins other wishing Lao DPR  for a smooth graduation from LDC as its plan. 
For their development objectives, we call on members and development partners to provide 
necessary assistances to both, transition and grace periods, to Lao DPR and to other graduated 
LDCs.  
4.141.   Finally, my delegat ion wishes Lao DPR a successful first TPR.  
TCHAD  AU NOM  DES  PMA 
4.142.   La République démocratique populaire du Lao a enregistré une croissance annuelle du PIB 
réel d'environ 7,3% depuis son accession à l'OMC en 2013. En conséquence de cette croissance 
régulière, le PIB par habitant a atteint près de USD 2'600 et la pauvreté a été réduite de 20%. Cela WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  va de pair avec les efforts visant à maîtriser l'inflation qui a contribué à maintenir un environnement 
macroéconomique stable.  
4.143.   Les investissements dans le secteur des services, notamment la production d'électricité, le 
commerce de détail, les technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC), la construction 
et les services financiers ont respectivement alimenté la croissance économique du Lao.  
4.144.   Cette approche a favorisé la diversification économique pour laquelle nous félicitons le 
Gouvernement du Lao. Ces initiatives favoriseront la croissance économique à long terme et 
contribueront à réduire davantage la pauvreté tout en élargissant le marché du travail et en créant 
de nouvelles opportunités commerciales.  
4.145.   Nous saluons les efforts de la RDP Lao à se conformer aux règles de l'OMC comme par 
exemple les notifications. En outre, la RDP Lao a simplifié sa politique sur les procédures de licences 
qui a été notifié à l'OMC. De plus, nous tenons à féliciter le Lao pour l'adoption au niveau national 
d'éléments du cadre juridique de l'OMC tels que l'accord sur les sauvegardes, ainsi que les mesures 
antidumping et compensatoires.  
4.146.   La RDP lao a également man ifesté un vif intérêt pour la promotion du commerce international 
au niveau régional en définissant ses intérêts au sein du bloc de l'ANASE et en cherchant à accroître 
activement les échanges commerciaux avec ses voisins.  
4.147.   Au cours de la période de l'examen , la politique commerciale du Lao a mis l'accent sur des 
objectifs dans quatre principaux domaines : assurer la conformité des lois nationales avec les normes 
internationales et les meilleures pratiques; diversifier l'économie au -delà des ressources nature lles 
et augmenter la productivité de la main d'œuvre; développer et renforcer le capital humain; et 
améliorer le climat des affaires et de l'investissement.  
4.148.   En poursuivant ces efforts, nous souhaitons souligner l'engagement et la conduite de la 
République démocratique populaire du Lao à atteindre ses objectifs du développement durable 
(ODD) de 2030 dans l'intérêt de ses populations et de l'environnement.  
4.149.   Nous voudrions féliciter la RDP Lao pour sa contribution sur la question de la graduation des 
PMA. La RD P Lao a notamment proposé des stratégies constructives visant à créer un cadre 
institutionnel qui pourra permettre une transition douce des PMA en voie de graduation.  
4.150.   Le Tchad, au nom du groupe des PMA, félicite la RDP Lao pour ses efforts et initiatives 
continus visant à développer son économie et son commerce, et souhaite beaucoup de réussite dans 
ses travaux futurs en tant qu'acteur dynamique du système du commerce multilatéral et plein dans 
l'examen de sa politique commerciale.  
MYANMAR  
4.151.   The friendship be tween Lao PDR and Myanmar are long standing due to our geographical 
situation, religion, culture, traditions and beliefs. Both of our countries are trying to develop existing 
friendship and cooperative ties by participating in global, regional and bilatera l agreements.  
4.152.   In review of bilateral trade between Myanmar and Lao PDR, although the volume of trade is 
still insignificant, we can see the gradual growth every year  
4.153.   and there are a lot of potentials of development as well. In the area of investment, as of  
2019, September, Myanmar would like to thank Laotian business organization for investing in 
Myanmar and stand as the 48th investor country of Myanmar. Since Myanmar is trying to liberalize 
its trade and investment related measures, it has improved its ran k of Ease of doing Business 
Indicator in the year 2019. Therefore, we would like to welcome more investors from Laos and 
friends all round the world.  
4.154.   Finally, as we have witnessed the commitments and reforms made by Lao PDR and success 
and the gains of mul tilateral trade it has reaped throughout her membership, Myanmar would like 
to wish Lao PDR a continuous progress and this T PR a successful milestone.  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democratic Republic  
 
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  INDONESIA  
4.155.   Let me begin by welcoming the delegation of Lao PDR to their first Trade Policy Review. And, 
Indonesia associates itself with the ASEAN statement delivered by Thailand.  
4.156.   This TPR has provided a forum for Indonesia to understand further on how Lao PDR 
administers international trade, and has also provided an important platform for Indonesia to explo re 
further avenues in improving bilateral trade relation with Lao PDR.  
4.157.   We view that such an exploratory discussion on finding ways to improving bilateral trade, is 
important, especially given that, by the numbers, bilateral trade activities between Indone sia and 
Lao PDR has been declining, despite our cooperation in various regional forums such as the ASEAN, 
ASEAN plus, and beyond.  
4.158.   Indonesia is of the view that there are rooms yet to be explored in order to have in place a 
better level of bilateral trade.  We view that our discussions leading up to this TPR meeting has 
provided insights into this joint effort for improvements in trade relations.  
4.159.   Indonesia encourages Lao PDR to improve on its regular notifications, which during the 
review period, the WTO ha s only received once. Indonesia also encourages Lao PDR to expedite the 
promulgation of the law on anti -dumping and countervailing measures, so as to facilitate any 
application of these measures in the correct manner.  
4.160.   Indonesia compliments Lao PDR for its  active role in coming up with regulations that facilitate 
trade, amongst others, by putting in place customs procedures that are in line with international 
standards.  
4.161.   Indonesia also commends Lao PDR for having in place an investor friendly FDI regime, wh ich 
have paved the way in facilitating the growth in various sectors of the economy. Indonesian also 
notes that all bound tariff is also ad valorem, which makes Lao PDR's import regime predictable.  
4.162.   Let me conclude by wishing the delegation of Lao PDR a su ccessful process in the remaining 
phase of this TPR.  
BRUNEI  DARUSSALAM  
4.163.   As a close neighbour, and even closer friend, Brunei Darussalam and Lao PDR have worked 
together on many different occasions.  
4.164.   Bilaterally, we have cooperation in education, finance, de fence, sports and youth, as well as 
people -to-people contacts. Regionally, we have worked together on many efforts towards ASEAN's 
economic integration, both internally and externally in the negotiations of our many trade 
agreements.  
4.165.   On the multilateral l evel, Lao PDR has been similarly a reliable partner and friend. It is clear 
that we share similar perspectives on trade liberalization and believe strongly in the importance of 
a rules -based multilateral trading system.  
4.166.   The benefits of this can be seen by the exceptional growth Lao PDR has experienced in the 
period under review; averaging more than 7% real GDP growth per year. The rise in FDI inflows of 
over USD 800 million has been as a result of the improvements it has made to its trade and 
investment fra mework, including the increase in transparency and legislative frameworks, as well 
as the predictability of its trading regime with 100% of its tariffs being bound. As a result of all these 
efforts, the population under the poverty level in Lao PDR is only  less than 20% in 2018.  
4.167.   The Lao PDR Government also believes in dialogue and engagement with its private sector, 
holding consultations with its national chambers of commerce and industry, which consists of both 
local and foreign enterprises, and by setting up a Lao Business Forum  with regular activities 
throughout the year. This sentiment is one Brunei also shares, and early in this year this was 
illustrated by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Information Sharing between the WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  Brunei National Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Lao PDR's National Chambers of 
Commerce and Industry.  
4.168.   Moving forward, we hope that Lao PDR maintains its positive initiatives, and encourage them 
to continue their structural reform efforts, particularly in addressing their informal economy, t o 
ensure the effectiveness of the government's policies. Brunei Darussalam is optimistic that Lao PDR 
can achieve its aim of graduating from a Least Developed Country to a Developing Country in 2024.  
4.169.   In closing, Brunei Darussalam would like to take this o pportunity to recognize the 
contributions of Ambassador Kham -Inh Khitchadeth and his capable team in Geneva, and we wish 
Laos all the best for a successful inaugural Trade Policy Review.  
INDIA  
4.170.   Lao PDR acceded to the WTO in 2013, since then the GDP of Laos has registered a strong 
growth averaging over 7% annually. The important contributors to the economy include electricity 
generation, construction, investments in infrastructure and services sector. However, as a 
landlocked Least Developed Country, Lao PDR also face various challenges which include growing 
fiscal deficit and external debt., structural constraints and vulnerabilities in the economy and 
addressing social and human indicator. We commend the Government of Lao PDR for the various 
measures it has taken to address these challenges including prudent macro -economic management, 
various reforms and the strategies in their 8th National Socio -Economic Developmental plan to 
promote economic diversification and attract investments.  
4.171.   India and Lao share warm,  close and friendly relations. Under India's "Look -East Policy" our 
ties have further strengthened and deepened in recent years with Lao PDR and all other ASEAN 
countries. Trade and economic ties are an important component of our relations. India's trade w ith 
Lao PDR stood at USD 193.63 million in 2017 -2018, which includes imports amounting to 
USD 168 million from Lao PDR. Though modest, there is considerable potential for growth in trade 
between both countries in areas including pharmaceutical, electrical machinery, metals and 
minerals, and agriculture products.  
4.172.   Under our Development Partnership Cooperation with Lao, India is assisting Laos in areas 
including information and communication technology, agriculture, transmission lines, irrigation and 
human res ource development. These include following projects under lines of credit:  
• Various projects to assist in the energy sector - including construction of 115 KV 
Transmission Line from Ban -Na in Champassak Province to Attapeu; Pakson -Jaingxai -
Bangyo Transmissi on Line; Nam Song 7.5 MW Hydropower Project; 230 KV Double Circuit 
Transmission Line from Nabong to Thabok; Extension of Thabok & Nabong substations to 
230 KV; and Nam Gnung -Laksao, 115 KV Transmission line and substations.  
• irrigation schemes in Champassak  Province comprising of 3 components: (a) Conversion of 
diesel to electric driven pump sets, (b) installation of large pump sets and (c) six large 
irrigation schemes and irrigation projects in three provinces which has components for 
Conversion and commiss ioning of diesel driven pumps into electric pumps and Irrigation by 
gravity from Nam Nga, Nam Xang and Houay Yang Noi Dams.  
• Project for upgrading of Agricultural College in Champasak province.  
4.173.   India is also actively engaged with ASEAN countries in the area  of capacity building and 
human resource development and slots and scholarships are regularly offered to a large number of 
professional from Lao PDR under India's economic and technical cooperation programme.  
4.174.   India has also always been a supporter of speci al dispensation for LDCs and provides 98.2% 
tariff lines as duty free or preferential access to LDCs with applicable tariff on all cotton lines at zero. 
We have also provided one of the most liberal packages for services waiver, including complete 
waiver o f visa fees.  
4.175.    To conclude, we look forward to working with the authorities of Lao for further expanding 
and harnessing the potential of our trade and investment ties for mutual benefit. India also looks WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democratic Republic  
 
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  forward to actively engage with all the ASEAN countri es under its Look -East Policy to strengthen our 
relations in all areas.  
BRAZIL  
4.176.   Brazil is pleased to take part in Lao PDR first Trade Policy Review since its WTO accession.  
4.177.   I would like to start by praising Lao PDR for the positive performance in terms of m aintaining 
strong GDP growth, which has been increasing by an annual average rate of 7.3% since its accession 
to WTO in 2013.  
4.178.   Lao PDR has made great strides towards greater levels of development and is well on its 
way to meet the goal of graduating from Le ast Developed Country status by 2024 and becoming a 
middle -income country by 2030.  
4.179.   We recognize, nevertheless, that in recent years there have been challenges in relation to 
the maintenance of healthy public finances. According to the Secretariat, during t he years within 
this review the public debt has increased from 56% of GDP in 2013 to 61% in 2017 and is expected 
to reach 65% in 2018.  
4.180.   Moving on to WTO related issues, Brazil notes with satisfaction that Lao was the second LDC 
to ratify the Trade Facilitat ion Agreement in 2015. It has also been working towards the 
implementation of a single window.  
4.181.   Besides, we are pleased to note the changes in Food Law and Law on Plant Protection and 
Quarantine to bring these regulations up to international standards and i mplement global best 
practices.  
4.182.   With regards to food safety and animal and plant health, we see with great satisfaction that 
the basic principles of the SPS Agreement are well incorporated into national regulations. Codex 
standards apply to both imported a nd domestically -produced goods.  
4.183.   These are all very positive initiatives, which should be commended.  
4.184.   However, a worrisome aspect we wish to highlight, tariff protection for agricultural products 
remains higher than that for non -agricultural products, making  it more difficult on average for 
agricultural exports to get into Lao PDR. As an important exporter of agricultural products Brazil 
encourages Lao PDR to reconsider its current tariff levels on agricultural products.  
4.185.   Turning to the bilateral front, Brazil -Lao trade amounted to USD 4.6 million in 2018. Bilateral 
trade is concentrated on tobacco, on the Brazilian side, and on electrical devices, on the side of Lao 
PDR. 
4.186.   There is room for potential growth and improvement, especially in order to obtain a more 
balanced mix of imports and exports for both countries. In this regard, Brazil notes that a dialogue 
has been established between the respective sanitary authorities in order to collaborate and agree 
on the terms of sanitary certificates for live cattle, bo vine genetic material as well as meat and 
poultry.  
4.187.   In closing, we commend Laos PDR for its efforts towards development and we would like to 
wish great success.  
4.188.   Brazil stands ready to cooperate for closer bilateral relations and a stronger multilateral 
system.  
AFGHANISTAN  
4.189.   My delegation commends the Government of Lao PDR for presenting its comprehensive trade 
policy report. We are encouraged to note the positive development and progress Lao PDR has made 
to improve and upgrade its institutiona l and legal frameworks through conducting intensive reforms 
and adopting its doing business practices.  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  4.190.   The Lao PDR first Trade Policy Review as an LDC, landlocked and recently accessed WTO 
Member is of systemic interest for my delegation in order to learn  lessons from that and adopt our 
WTO-related activities, in particular, the preparation work for Afghanistan's first TPR meeting, 
accordingly. It is also a matter of personal interest for me as my role of Chair of the G7+ WTO 
accession Group to see how int ernational trade integration through WTO accession -related reforms 
and trade liberalization have helped an LDC and post conflict country to prosper and sustain peace 
and stability domestically, and become an active and positive player at the regional and i nternational 
levels.  
4.191.   We are encouraged to note that Lao PDR experienced an economic growth rate of about 7% 
during the review period, a rise of FDI, reduction of the poverty rate from 46% in 1993 to 19% by 
2017, undertaking intensive programmes to diversi fy its economy, conducting further reforms, 
streamlining its government administrative procedures on business registration, customs clearance 
and foreign investment procedures.  
4.192.   On top of all that, we are pleased to learn Lao PDR's ambitious plan to gradua te from LDC 
status by 2024 and calling upon the WTO Membership, the Secretariat, and development 
Organizations to support Lao PDR on its journey to a successful achievement of this goal.  
4.193.   By saying that, I end my statement by wishing the esteemed delegatio n of Lao PDR a very 
successful and productive Trade Policy Review.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democratic Republic  
 
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  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRE SENTATIVE OF LAO PDR  AND ADDITIONAL COMM ENTS  
5.1.  Allow me to express my great satisfaction with the progress of this meeting which will help us 
to further implement our reforms and to integrate into the world economy for the benefit of the 
sustainable development of Lao PDR. We have since Monday received  some additional questions. 
We will answer these questions in full within the next month; they are very technical and require a 
careful thought to respond to them. At this point, I would like to make a few general comments 
about your generous interventions  made on Monday.  
5.2.  My sincere gratitude goes to the Discussant and the Members of the WTO who have 
constructively participated in the first Review of our policies for the understanding and compassions 
they have shown for our development efforts and the many  encouraging comments we have 
received. This has reflected that our hard work since the WTO accession in 2013 has paid off and 
that we should so continue, which we will do. We also appreciate the more critical questions and 
suggestions, which have shown th e interest of WTO Members to assist our Government in the pursuit 
of our further efforts. Moments like this strengthen our belief in the inclusive multilateral trading 
system of which the WTO is the guardian: in this, the TPRM is a forum where peers exchan ge their 
assessments of policies in a mutually respectful way taking into account the specificities of each 
Member and with the purpose of improving the wellbeing of the people through effective and efficient 
policies for a sustainable development of all t he Members of this community.  
5.3.  Lao PDR has answered Members' questions and we will continue to provide additional 
information as I mentioned earlier. At this point, we take notes of Members' concerns, namely 
meeting the WTO notification requirements, improv ing the business environment and continuing 
active involvement in the work of the WTO. We think these points are fundamental. We fully intend 
to share with our domestic stakeholders with the view to continuing progress in these areas.  
5.4.  I think we are large ly in agreement about what Lao PDR still has to accomplish and the priorities 
in our reform efforts. The remaining tasks are demanding and cover a large number of fields and we 
are intent to implementing them. However, remember Lao PDR is an LDC. In this r espect, we do 
aim to graduate from LDC status in 2024, but we remain constrained by our limited capacity. Just 
as we needed your help to get as far as we did during this Review period, we will need your continued 
cooperation and assistance to accomplish th e tasks, which we have set for ourselves in the coming 
years. There is a need to strengthen cooperation with our partners, to ensure that our requests for 
assistance are well prepared, used efficiently and lead to the expected results and benefits. Our aim  
is to make the LDC graduation smooth and avoid a slowdown in our cooperation with other Members.  
5.5.  In this respect, I would like to invite the WTO Secretariat to come to Vientiane to present the 
results of the Review to the various stakeholders and to start  a dialogue with our development 
partners. We will, together with the Secretariat, prepare those meetings and draft project briefs for 
the most urgent support we require. We hope those who are having representation both in Lao PDR 
and in Geneva will be abl e to indicate concrete fields of assistance they are willing to consider so 
that we can start the dialogue to implement the reforms and the accompanying assistance as soon 
as possible. Thank you.  
DISCUSSANT  
5.6.  Je voudrais d'abord signaler que j'ai entendu bea ucoup de soutien, d'écoute et de dialogue 
constructif au cours de cet Examen de politique commerciale du Laos, et je pense que c'est très 
encourageant pour les échéances futures, notamment celles que j'ai mentionnées dès le premier 
jour: la sortie du statu t de PMA.  
5.7.  Les attentes qui ont été exprimées par les Membres sont également claires. Elles sont souvent 
très techniques mais elles se ramènent principalement au maintien de l'effort de transparence dans 
le cadre des disciplines de cette Organisation et à l a poursuite de l'effort d'amélioration 
d'environnement des affaires pour les investisseurs, en particulier les procédures de dédouanement 
et les licences d'investisseurs. Pour cet effort -là, le test de vérité, vous le savez, n'est pas dans cette 
salle, il est à quelques centaines de mètres d'ici, dans les chiffres que la CNUCED rapportera dans 
quelques années sur les investissements directs étrangers au Laos.  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  5.8.  Madame la Ministre, un Examen de politique commerciale est un peu comme une thérapie. En 
réalité vo us saviez déjà tout ça vous -même et la discussion n'est là que pour le formaliser. De la 
même manière que vous avez su conduire votre pays à l'intérieur de cette Organisation, nous avons 
toute confiance que vous saurez le conduire à l'extérieur de la catég orie des PMA et nous vous 
souhaitons bonne chance.  
UNITED  STATES  
5.9.  The United States thanks Minister Khemmani Pholsena and the Lao delegation for their 
participation in their first Trade Policy Review. We also thank Ambassador Paugam for his insightful 
remarks and the Secretariat for their report and excellent work.  
5.10.   The United States appreciates Lao PDR's responses to our questions, which were helpful for 
our understanding of Lao PDR's economic reform efforts since accession to the WTO. We encourage 
Lao PDR' s continued efforts to increase transparency to ensure all entities and government agencies 
make draft regulations available for notice and comment for both Lao PDR's domestic and 
international stakeholders. Efforts to promote regulatory quality through gr eater transparency, 
objective analysis, accountability, and predictability can facilitate international trade, investment, 
and economic growth.  
5.11.   The United States formally submitted a few follow -up questions related to our interests in 
transparency and trad e policy formulation and will review future responses closely.  
5.12.   The United States remains committed to continued engagement with the Lao PDR bilaterally 
through our Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, particularly in the areas of automotive 
standards,  electronic payments, digital trade, and intellectual property.  
BANGLADESH  
5.13.   Thanks for offering me the floor. The delegation of Bangladesh appreciates the Government 
of Lao PDR and the delegation in Geneva for the successful review of its trade policy. The Trade 
Policy Review exercise is a commitment and obligation as a Member of the WTO. Today, we are 
witnessing an LDC member undergoing its first Trade Policy Review.  
5.14.   My delegation also would like to commend the discussant, H.E. M. Jean -Marie Paugam, 
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France, for his analysis of the report , as well as the 
WTO Secretariat, specially the TPR team.  
5.15.   Bangladesh attaches great importance to the multilateral trading system to achieve 
socioeconomic goals. Since its accession in 2013, Lao PDR is trying its best for greater integration 
to multilatera lism. The Government of Lao PDR has initiated strategies and programmes to overcome 
challenges it faces as an LDC and is moving fast towards graduating from the list of LDCs. We are 
happy to state that Bangladesh is also on its way to graduation during the  same expected time with 
Lao in 2024. Bangladesh would like to see a continuation of preferential market access and support 
for capacity building for all graduating Members. WTO Members, therefore, need to develop a special 
programme for newly graduated co untries for ensuring smooth transition and preventing any 
setback.  
5.16.   My delegation also notes that, with Bangladesh, Lao is a member of the ASEAN Free Trade 
Agreement (AFTA) which offers common rules of origin (ROOs), with a minimum local value content 
requirement of 45% of the f.o.b. value (35% for LDCs). We have very good bilateral relations. Our 
Honourable Prime Minister visited Lao in 2012. Bangladeshi medicine, light engineering, cement, 
ceramic, leather, steel, and agro -products have good demand in Lao.  We hope that our fullest 
utilization of the Asian Highway Network in the future will help address the issues of high cost of 
ground transportation in Lao.  
5.17.   Lao PDR is also advancing towards attaining the SDGs and Bangladesh calls on partners to 
provide te chnical and financial support to Lao as to achieve these goals in order to promote 
sustainable economic growth. My delegation calls on partners to help Lao collectively address the 
issues of strengthening supply side capacities, diversification of products  and export market, value WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democratic Republic  
 
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  addition, accessing the opportunities of digital economy, and IT enabled service economy for better 
performance.  
5.18.   Bangladesh, once again, congratulates the delegation of Lao in Geneva, the visiting delegation 
from Vientiane and the  Government of Lao PDR for a successful completion of its first TPR.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
5.19.   Let me first thank the delegation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic for the 
comprehensive overview presented last Monday and this morning of the main developments 
occurred during this first -review period and for addressing some of the issues we raised on the first 
day and in our advance written questions.  
5.20.   The EU appreciates the timely replies provided to all the EU questions. We have submitted 
three follow -up questions  related to Lao PDR's published information, law and regulation on public 
procurement, and application system on investment licences. We look forward to the replies in due 
time. 
5.21.   Furthermore, in our advance questions we have asked the Lao PDR to share with us the list 
of notifications to be completed as this information could be useful to table the specific assistance 
needs in order to improve Lao PDR's compliance with notification obligations. We note that the list 
of required notifications has not been att ached to Laos' reply to our question and we would welcome 
receiving it when possible.  
5.22.   This review has been useful for better understanding of Lao PDR's trade policy and measures. 
The EU hopes that Lao PDR will duly take into account some of the challenges highlighted by 
Members.  
5.23.   We welcome that Lao PDR is committed to a broader reform process aimed at improving the 
business climate and regulatory environment and we encourage Lao PDR to continue these and other 
important reforms that the EU is ready to assis t. 
CHINA  
5.24.   China would like to commend again Lao PDR's unremitting efforts to advance domestic 
reforms and actively integrate into the world economy after its WTO accession.  
5.25.   The experience of Lao PDR over the past six years has set a good example for the LDC s, and 
reflects the value of the rules -based multilateral trading system.  
5.26.   China cherishes the traditional bilateral friendship with Lao PDR. We stand ready to take the 
10th anniversary of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as a new starting point and further 
promote the long -term, healthy, and stable development of bilateral relations.  
5.27.   We thank the delegation of Lao PDR for the replies to our advance written questions, and look 
forward to receiving the replies to our follow -up questions.  
5.28.   The first trad e policy review is never an easy task. We congratulate the delegation of Lao 
PDR, led by Minister Khemmani Pholsena, for the successful review, and wish the delegation a safe 
journey back home.  
CAMBODIA  
5.29.   My delegation joins others to express our congratulat ions to Lao PDR for their successful first 
Trade Policy Review. We thank H.E. Khemmani Pholsena for the remarks and the entire delegation 
for their hard work.  
5.30.   Cambodia is committed to working closely with Lao PDR, especially with Ambassador Khaminh 
Khitcha deth on the important issues and priorities of LDCs under this Organization.  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  5.31.   I would also like to commend Ambassador Jean Marie Paugam  of France for his good role as 
the discussant, and congratulate the WTO, especially the Trade Policy Review Division, for the 
successful preparation of this review.  
5.32.   Finally, we commend and congratulate you for your able leadership to steer this review a 
smooth and successful outcome. We wish the Lao delegation a safe trip and good journey back 
home.  
H.E.  MRS.  KHEMMANI  PHOLSENA  (HEAD  OF DELEGATION)  
5.33.   My delegation leaves Geneva encouraged and with renewed energy to tackle the challenges 
in front of us. We do that in the full knowledge that we are not alone and that we can count on the 
cooperation of our fellow Members in the WTO by profiting from their experience and inputs, as well 
as their assistance.  
5.34.   Allow me to repeat my invitation to the WTO Secretariat to organize the meeting in Vientiane 
to present the results of this review to our stakeholders in the first quarter of 2020. This will be a 
critical step to prioritizing and organizing the technical assistance that we will still welcome from you 
all, inclu ding in the important areas such as notifications.  
5.35.   Finally, I would like to repeat my great appreciation to the WTO Secretariat, to you, 
Discussant, and Members for your interventions and support. And, above all, to you, Mr. Chairman, 
for your efficient an d friendly handling of this meeting.  
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS B Y THE CHAIRPERSON  
6.1.  The first Trade Policy Review of Lao PDR has offered us a good opportunity to deepen our 
understanding of recent developments in, and challenges to, its trade, economic, and investment 
policies. Since its accession in 2013, Lao PDR's initiatives to further  integrate into the Multilateral 
Trading System and take advantage of the opportunities it offers have been greatly appreciated. 
Indeed, the about 200 advance written questions submitted by 12 Members and the 23  delegations 
that took the floor during the f irst day underline the importance attached by Members to Lao PDR's 
trade and investment policies and practices.  
6.2.  I would like to thank the Lao PDR's delegation, led by the Honourable Minister of Industry and 
Commerce, Mrs. Khemmani Pholsena, and Ambassador  Khaminh Khitchadeth,  for their active 
participation in this exercise. Also, I would like to thank our discussant, Mr. Jean -Marie Paugam, 
Permanent Representative of France to the WTO, for his insightful remarks, and all the delegations 
that took the floor  for their valuable contributions to this Review.  
6.3.  Members commended Lao PDR for its strong economic growth which is setting the ground for 
graduation from LDC status in 2024, and for enacting several economic policies to address structural 
vulnerabilities  and weaknesses, including policies focused on hydropower development and 
attracting foreign investment in energy, natural resources and tourism. While noting steps taken to 
promote fiscal consolidation through modernization of tax systems and reducing sta te payroll and 
operating expenses, Members expressed concern regarding the level of fiscal deficits and public 
debt. Members were also appreciative of Lao PDR's increased trade openness as depicted by the 
ratio of trade in goods and services to GDP increas ing since Lao's accession. Members praised Lao 
PDR's policy, regulatory and institutional initiatives to promote and improve the foreign investment 
and business environments despite remaining challenges in certain areas (e.g. FDI restrictions, 
border -clearance procedures and high ground transportation costs). Members encouraged Lao PDR 
to continue to pursue an ambitious economic reform agenda, focused on diversifying the economy 
and increasing its resilience and productivity, through reform initiatives in a reas such as access to 
information, e -government, anti -corruption, investment promotion, and economic dispute 
resolution. Members also welcomed the Lao PDR Government's focus on developing its human capital 
through inclusive education.  
6.4.  Members praised Lao  PDR for its support and active participation in the Multilateral Trading 
System. It was commended for expanding its WTO commitments through the ratification of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the second LDC to do so, and the timely submission of c ategory 
A, B and C notifications of the TFA. Its support for the Joint Statement Initiatives on Investment 
Facilitation for Development, on Micro, Small and Medium -sized Enterprises, and on e -Commerce, 
and the Declaration on Women and Trade resulting from the 11th Ministerial Conference in Buenos 
Aires were largely appreciated. Lao PDR indicated that it hoped to become a member of Information 
Technology Agreements (ITA) 1 and 2 by the first half of 2020. It was encouraged to consider joining 
the WTO Governm ent Procurement Agreement. Members noted Lao PDR's record of WTO notification 
and welcomed improvements in this area where more technical assistance could be required to 
address persisting capacity constraints. Members noted Lao PDR's constructive role and  priority to 
deepen the integration within ASEAN and to expand its agreements with other partners in order to 
compensate from the loss of preferences upon LDC graduation. Members also spoke on the smooth 
transition upon LDC graduation and expressed support  to Lao in this effort.  
6.5.  Members commended Lao PDR's efforts in tariff reduction and elimination of tariff peaks. They 
also appreciated that the entire customs tariff was applied on an ad valorem  basis and was bound, 
making the import regime predictable. Ho wever, concerns were raised regarding the MFN applied 
tariff exceeding the bound tariff for 26 lines and noted that these would be rectified. Members were 
appreciative of Lao PDR's ratification commitment in its Trade Facilitation Road Map for 2017 -22, 
which aims to implementing TFA measures in an accelerated time -bound manner to cut down the 
cost of trading, including significant steps already in place such as the implementation of the 
electronic National Single Window for customs clearance and duty paymen t, risk management, 
transparency and advance ruling. Lao PDR was commended for its efforts in the passage and 
implementation of the Law on Standardization of 2014 and the alignment of most of its national 
standards with international standards, it was also  encouraged to expedite the promulgation of the 
law on anti -dumping and countervailing measures. While noting efforts to strengthening intellectual 
property protection and enforcement, including by joining the Madrid Protocol in 2016 and amending 
the Law o n Intellectual Property, Members invited Lao PDR to continue to take steps to improve IP WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  protection and enforcement, including through developing judicial capacity to adjudicate IP cases 
and increasing public awareness of the importance of IPR protection.  
6.6.  Some other issues were also raised by certain Members. They included the relatively higher 
protection of the agricultural sector and the prospects for further liberalization in trade in services.  
6.7.  The above are some of the key issues that had emerged in ou r discussion. I hope that the 
Lao PDR delegation will take into account and further reflect on these issues and on the many 
constructive comments, both broad and detailed, that it has received during this Review. Finally, I 
would like to thank all those th at participated in our discussion, and I look forward to receiving the 
answers from Lao PDR to any outstanding questions within one month, at which point the Review 
will be successfully concluded.  
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  7  ADOPTION OF TPRB'S A NNUAL REPORT FOR 201 9 
7.1.  I would now lik e to ask delegations to consider the TPRB's Annual Report for 2019, which was 
distributed on 25 October 2019 in document WT/TPR/W/172.  
7.2.  The Secretariat has not received any comments from delegations. I therefore trust that this 
version could be considered t he final one.  
7.3.  But before giving the floor to delegations who would like to speak, I want to inform you that a 
couple of typographical errors will be corrected in the Report. These concern the Tables in Annex II 
and are the following: the total number of re views of Bangladesh are 5 (not 4), and of Canada 11 
(not 5). Also, Bangladesh will be indicated as an LDC in both Tables.  
7.4.  The floor is now open if any delegation would like to speak or make any other comments or 
corrections.  
UNITED  STATES  
7.5.  The United States  appreciates the opportunity to comment on the 2019 draft in your report. 
The United States continues to place high importance on the work of the TPRB, including trade policy 
reviews. The TPR process is fundamental to a core tenet of the WTO transparency.  
7.6.  Before commenting on the report, I want to first note the consistently high -quality work of the 
Secretariat in drafting the Secretariat report for each TPR meeting. These are valuable reports, and 
the information they contain is useful long after the TPR m eeting has ended.  
7.7.  Turning to the 2019 draft report, the United States would like to note changes from the last 
year's annual report to footnote 1. Specifically, footnote 1 in last year's annual report listed Members 
as "to be reviewed", while the draft rep ort lists two countries as "candidates for review" in 2021. We 
question the need to change the language from the footnote in the 2018 annual report to list these 
two Members as candidates for a TPR. Both Members are obligated to undergo a TPR in 2021, 
according to review schedules set forth in the WTO Agreement, as are many other Members. We 
request that footnote 1 revert to the previously agreed text contained in the 2018 annual report.  
7.8.  And, turning briefly to paragraph 7, the United States would like to t hank the Secretariat for 
the description of the follow -up workshops discussing the outcome of TPRs with certain Members 
and their domestic stakeholders.  
7.9.  In reviewing the paragraph, we noted a few changes from the paragraph in the 2018 annual 
report, and we would like to ask for clarification so that we accurately understand the Secretariat's 
work. First, in 2018, the paragraph stated that the Secretariat o rganizes follow -up workshops at the 
request of the Member concerned. In this year's draft report, the language has been shortened to 
"on request". Could the Secretariat please clarify if it organizes these workshops only at the request 
of the Member concer ned? Second, in this year's draft report, paragraph 7 clarifies, for the first time, 
that these workshops are available to all developing countries, in particular LDCs. We note that the 
TPRB rules of procedure WT/TPR/6/Rev.4 do not limit these workshops to  developing countries. Has 
there been a change in the scope of the Secretariat's programme? If so, when and how was that 
change made?  
7.10.   Finally, we would like to ask for additional transparency from the Secretariat on this area of 
its work, for example the views it expresses regarding the steps that a government may take to 
address concerns expressed by other Members in its TPR meeting. To be clear, we are not asking 
for these details to be added to this draft report, but in a separate document to be issued by the 
Secretariat. Such information would help Members to better understand the Secretariat's efforts and 
messaging in this important area.  
7.11.   Again, the United States would like to thank the Secretariat and all the Members that have 
submitted their TPRs to date. Your significant efforts continue to keep the TPR process relevant and 
useful for governments and stakeholders around the world.  WT/TPR/W/ 174 • Lao People 's Democ ratic Republic  
 
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  7.12.   We note the upcoming thirtieth anniversary of the TPRM on 27 November, and  look forward 
to Member discussions regarding the past 30 years and the challenges ahead.  
7.13.   We hope that our comments will be useful for Members in the spirit of keeping this process 
relevant for the next 30 years.  
CHAIRPERSON  
7.14.   We take note of the interventi on, and the Chair will revert to the 2018 language of the footnote 
and also address, through a separate letter, the clarifications required and make some minor 
adjustment on paragraph 7 as well, just to take into account the availability of the assistance without 
distinction. The changes as reflected typographically, as well as the footnote, are adopted.  
7.15.   With this, I declare the meeting closed. I thank you for your participation and note that the 
next meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body will be on 12 De cember to undertake the annual 
overview of developments in the international trading environment which are having an impact on 
the multilateral trading system, and assisted by the Report of the Director -General.  
7.16.   I also remind you that there is a public con ference celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 
TPRM. The Secretariat has taken great pains and efforts for a whole day workshop that will hopefully 
contribute to the further improvements and enhancement of our Trade Policy Review Mechanism, of 
which, toda y, we had a very successful first Trade Policy Review of Lao. That Conference will start 
at 9:30 a.m., with an opening by the Director -General and the whole division of the Trade Policy 
Review Body.  
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