The approach integrates the various core competences of SECO's trade related technical assistance, which have been developed in cooperation with strategic multilateral partners of the UN system. A first country project under this SECO - UN Trade Cluster collaboration has been developed with the Government of Lao PDR. The "Enhancing sustainable tourism, clean production and export capacity in Lao PDR" project aims at developing an overall competitive tourism industry, including through the strengthening of organic agriculture and the handicraft (silk) industries which are important suppliers to tourism businesses.

The overall objective is to enhance sustainable tourism, clean production and export competitiveness in Lao PDR, to facilitate pro-poor development, income and job creation and to strengthen the value-chains in the tourism, agriculture and handicraft sectors.

Compliance with Food Safety, Service Quality and Environmental Standards improved within the Tourism sector through the introduction of a voluntary National Quality Certification Mark.

Management practices, skills and productivity of workers in the tourism sector are improved sensibilisation on tourism business at Secondary school.

Enhanced backward linkages of selected handicraft and especially silk and organic agricultural products to the tourism industry.

Strengthened coordination, networking and synergies among organic agriculture stakeholders.

Promote cleaner production in hotel industry and contribute to improved productivity in the tourism, silk and organic sectors.

Risultati principali attesi:  

Full-fledge "Know About Business" curriculum sustainably delivered in Luang Prabang secondary schools.

Large diffusion of Good Practice Guide in Luang Prabang Guest Houses.

Strengthened Luang Prabang Organic Association.

Strengthened Luang Prabang Handicraft Association.

Scaling up the awareness building and application of clean production principles.

Sustainable operation of a Laboratory for testing food safety.

Risultati fasi precedenti:  

This is project phase II (2014-2016) is a continuation of the SECO support to the UN Trade Cluster Phase I (2010-2014). Important Results from phase one are: Launch of a voluntary National Quality Certification Mark in Luang Prabang with 4 members certified and 8 interested restaurants / hotels- more than 100 handicraft producers are members of the Luang Prabang Handicraft Association, whereof 85 participate actively in the Handicraft Label- in the Organic Association 190 producers are organised in 9 producer groups in 3 districts around Luang Prabang, 11 different organic products are produced and an organic market is held twice a week.

Fase 2 01.01.2014 - 30.03.2017   (Active)