Asian Development Bank and Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Fact Sheet

Abstract

Updated yearly, this ADB Fact Sheet provides social and economic indicators on Lao People’s Democratic Republic as well as concise information on ADB's operations in the country and contact information. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) joined the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at its founding in 1966 and, as of the end of December 2010, has received approved loans and grants totaling $1.60 billion, with technical assistance projects amounting to $133.1 million. ADB has extended development assistance to the Lao PDR since 1968 and remains the largest multilateral financier of the country. In the 1970s and 1980s, assistance was focused mainly on projects involving infrastructure development in the transport and energy sectors, as well as the agriculture sector. ADB was also active in the development of the finance sector since the latter part of the 1980s, and broadened its assistance in the 1990s and 2000s to include rural development, social development, and the environment. ADB’s current country strategy and program (CSP), 2007–2011 is aligned with the development strategy of the Government of the Lao PDR and seeks to promote pro-poor sustainable growth, social inclusiveness, and improved governance. The country assistance program evaluation, 2000–2009, concluded that ADB’s assistance was successful, relevant, and effective. The CSP for 2007–2011, which targets four core sectors—agriculture, health, education, and infrastructure, remains relevant. Consultations with the government during country programming confirmed that ADB’s strategic focus is supportive of the objectives of the Seventh Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP7). ADB is currently preparing a new country partnership strategy for the Lao PDR covering 2012–2016. It will be designed to support the implementation of NSEDP7.