LAO PDR TO BUILD BACK BETTER AGRI-FOOD INDUSTRY

Agricultural Development and Commercialization

Mekong Institute (MI), in cooperation with the Ministry of Health of Lao PDR and the Commercial Agricultural and Tree Planting Association, brought together over 40 representatives from the agri-food private sector, trade and food safety agencies, and international organizations to pool recommendations on ways forward to enhance the competitiveness of the agri-food industry  against a COVID-19 landscape at the “Food Safety for Market Access: Bringing Lao Flavors to the World” Forum on November 10, 2020.

Held as a hybrid onsite and online event,  the PROSAFE-supported activity focused on widening stakeholders’ understanding to scale-up agri-food sector export products and knowledge of non-tariff measures and compliance.

“Food safety is the foundation for food security and agri-product competitiveness,” Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn,  MI Executive Director, said in his opening statement. He enjoined partners to continue platforms of engagement such as the forum to increase awareness and institutionalize feedbacking practices between public and private stakeholders for a sustained food safety culture in the country and region.

In addition, he underscored the importance of strengthening national food systems, processes, and facilities to help more micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) better meet local food safety standard requirements. “We must jointly find ways to broaden ownership towards food safety by making more efficient and cost-effective food safety certification and services, so many more agri-food businesses will comply with and invest in meeting food safety standards,” he said.  

Forum participants also highlighted the need to broaden access to technical resources, equipment and machinery, raw materials, as well as standards and quality infrastructure, so businesses, particularly MSMEs, can better compete in foreign markets.

MI’s PROSAFE project, which aims to build capacities of food safety stakeholders in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam, has been working to increase compliance of the agri-food sector of domestic and international food safety requirements and standards, particularly sanitary and phytosanitary measures to help businesses increase  revenue.

Resource persons from MI, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific, Food and Drug Department of Ministry of Health, Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Department of SME Promotion, and Lao Farmer Products Company attended the forum and presented current regulatory standards and quality infrastructure support for the agri-food sector in Lao PDR.  

This was the third blended online and onsite forum of MI under the PROSAFE project, with Lao participants present at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Vientiane, while others attended via Zoom conference.

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Mrs. Guohua Liu

Director, Sustainable Energy & Environment (SEE) Department

Mrs. Liu Guohua is the Director of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Department at the Mekong Institute. Prior to this role, she worked in the Department of International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, where she played a key role in shaping and implementing China’s cooperation strategies with UN development agencies. During this time, Mrs. Liu was actively involved in advancing initiatives related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on climate change and green development. Additionally, she contributed to the evaluation of projects funded by various Chinese initiatives, such as the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, etc.

In addition to her work in the Department of International Economic Affairs, Mrs. Liu has an extensive diplomatic background. She spent 7 years in the Department of African Affairs, followed by a 4-year tenure at the Chinese Embassy in Lao PDR, where she gained deep expertise in both Southeast Asian and African affairs. These diverse experiences have played a crucial role in shaping her approach to sustainable development and international collaboration, particularly in building regional partnerships and tackling global challenges like climate change.

She holds a Master’s degree in Economics, with a specialization in Finance, from the Central University of Finance and Economics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, specializing in International Economics and Trade, from the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.