Lao People's Democratic Republic

3 October 2024 — G/TFA/N/LAO/3/Rev.2  

The Lao Customs Department (LCD) is actively working to enhance its Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program, with support from the LCT project. The Korea AEO Association was recruited for analysing, and reviewing existing legislations and drafting Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ) in 4 key business sectors: Importer, Exporter, Customs broker, and Freight Forwarder as well as providing training on AEO program for customs and relevant officials. The LCT project is going to end by December 2024.
In addition, LCD has embarked on a new three-year project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that will provide technical assistance for AEO implementation to Laos. As part of this project, an AEO expert from Japan Customs will soon assist the LCD in advancing its AEO program. In regard to the project objective, there are 4 main goals as follows:
1. Roadmap: Developing a strategic plan with short- and long-term goals for the AEO program.
2. Regulation: Reviewing and revising the necessary regulations related to Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQ) for different business sectors, including Importers, Exporters, Freight Forwarders, Customs Brokers, and SMEs.
3. Relationship: Strengthening leadership support for cooperation between the public and private sectors and fostering partnerships with other customs authorities.
4. Reinforcing: Raising awareness about the AEO program and Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) among customs officials, with a focus on building the capacity of AEO validators.

24 August 2022 — G/TFA/N/LAO/3/Rev.1  

Lao Customs has already launched an Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) program with the assistance of WB (IFC) and has also conducted rigorous training of its staff with the WCO help recently. It however requires continued support in capacity building of its staff and the private sector for developing a robust system of AEO regime.

The WB under the Lao PDR's Competitiveness & Trade Project (LCTP) has provided following support:

1. Legal & procedural changes in customs for an effective AEO scheme.
2. Development of detailed guidelines for processing of applications and validation of AEOs.

Due to fund constraints, WB support is limited and hence, support of development partners/WTO is required for the following activities:

(a) Revising the scheme for tier based AEO program as not many economic operators are attracted to join the scheme due to its stringent qualifying criteria for validation.
(b) Capacity building of Customs staff for conducting AEO validation and development of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) on AEOs.
(c) Awareness generation of the private sector for developing voluntary compliance to AEO requirements.

19 March 2021 — G/TFA/N/LAO/3  

Lao Customs has already launched an Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) program with the assistance of WB (IFC) and has also conducted rigorous training of its staff with the WCO help recently. It however requires continued support in capacity building of its staff and the private sector for developing a robust system of AEO regime.

The WB under the Lao PDR’s Competitiveness & Trade Project (LCTP) has assured to provide following support:
1. Legal & procedural changes in customs for an effective AEO scheme
2. Development of detailed guidelines for processing of applications and validation of AEOs

However, due to fund constraints, WB support is limited and hence, support of development partners/WTO is required for the following activities beyond 2020:

(a) Capacity building of Customs staff for conducting AEO validation and development of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) on AEOs
(b) Awareness generation of the private sector for developing voluntary compliance to AEO requirements