República Democrática Popular Lao

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

Under support of WB (LCT project), which will end by 2024, Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) has focused on reforming and optimizing Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) and border procedures aims to reduce paperwork, streamline compliance procedures and reducing documentary compliance on trade facilitation (import, export & transit). Over the period, number of tasks have been done. NTM team of DFT in collaboration with line agencies identifies and categorized 452 NTMs into LTP (www.laotradeportal.gov.la) (updated in December 2022). 106 NTMs were reviewed, and a number of NTMs were removed and and streamlined to facilitate the business environment. Furthermore, as part of transparency and predictability for business operation, DFT also developed a service charter on issuance of licensing at DFT, and it was implemented according to the notification No. 0826/DIMEX, date: 02 Mar 2022. In addition, the three departments, DFT, Department of Transportation, and Department of Food and Drugs, have joined the Lao National Single Window (LNSW), and currently, LCD and BIVAC company are working with a number of licensing issuance departments to participate this programme. Despite significant progress, there are several key objectives remain to be supported and addressed as follows:
1. Building a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) Mechanism task force under the NTTFC to conduct the assessment of draft NTMs to ensure they will be rationalized and consistent with WTO and ASEAN agreements before enter into force. Meanwhile, the task force will also conduct the review of the post NTMs in periodical manner. To ensure that NTMs will not create any unnecessary obstacles/burdens to trade.
2. Continuous Review and Streamlining of NTMs: aim to further reduce the documentary burden on imports, exports, and transit operations, ensuring that NTMs remain aligned with best practices in trade facilitation.
3. Capacity Building for related authorities: enhancing the knowledge and skills of government officials involved in managing NTMs such as training program, workshop, knowledge sharing, and etc.

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

Review of border procedures is being undertaken by Customs and other border agencies under the WB's Lao PDR's Competitiveness & Trade Project (LCTP), which has assured to provide following support:

1. Revision of border procedures and documentation requirements of Customs, food & drugs, plant and animal quarantine departments with the purpose of reducing the processing time and cost.
2. Development of suitable procedures for clearance of import, export & transit cargo transported by rail and multimodal means of transport.
3. Review of clearance procedures for the goods using the rail link connecting to Laem Chabang port in Thailand.
4. Capacity building of Customs, Food & Drugs, and Plant & Animal Quarantine departments for applying revised procedures.
5. Capacity building of the staff of these agencies for cross-border cooperation for Single Stop Inspections and clearance.

Support of development partners/WTO is required for the revision of procedures followed by other agencies, like the Department of Import and Export, Department of Standardization & Metrology, Department of Transport and Department of Mines etc. for following activities:

(a) Review of NTMs in order to reduce paperwork and streamline compliance procedures.
(b) Development of operational procedures, regulations, and instructions for reducing documentary compliance on import, export & transit.

19 marzo 2021 — G/TFA/N/LAO/3  

Review of border procedures is planned by Customs and other border agencies under the WB’s Lao PDR’s Competitiveness & Trade Project (LCTP), which has assured to provide following support:
1. Revision of border procedures and documentation requirements of Customs, food & drugs, plant and animal quarantine departments with the purpose of reducing the processing time and cost
2. Development of suitable procedures for clearance of import, export & transit cargo transported by rail and multimodal means of transport
3. Review of clearance procedures for the goods using the rail link connecting to Laem Chabang port in Thailand
4. Capacity building of Customs, Food & Drugs, and Plant & Animal Quarantine departments for applying revised procedures

Support of development partners/WTO is required for the revision of procedures followed by other agencies, like the Department of Standardization & Measures, Department of Transport and Department of Mines etc. for following activities:
(a) Review of NTMs in order to reduce paperwork and streamline compliance procedures
(b) Development of operational procedures and instructions for reducing documentary compliance on import, export & transit
(c) Capacity building of the staff of these agencies for on cross-border cooperation for Single Stop Inspections and clearance