Summary of the US-Lao NTR Study Tour

 

The Fund for Reconciliation and Development, through a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, brought a delegation of 21 government officials and private business leaders from Laos to the United States. The delegation led by H.E Soulivong Daravong, Minister of Commerce traveled to Fresno, California; New York, NY; Washington, DC; Elgin and Dekalb, Illinois; St. Paul, Minnesota; and the San Francisco Bay area from May 11 to 27, 2005.  

 

The goals of the tour were to gain a better understanding of the of the US market,  to look for potential trading partners, and to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and tourism.  In addition to visits to many Laotian American and other American businesses, the delegation participated in workshops US- Laos business cooperation in Fresno, CA; St. Paul, MN and Oakland, CA. 

 

The visit enabled the delegation to meet with many Laotian-Americans and others interested in developing business opportunities with Laos and enabled an exchange of thoughts about opportunities to use the Bilateral Trade Agreement and Normal Trade Relations Status to benefit both countries. The visit also provided an opportunity to promote better understanding and mutual trust with the multi-ethnic Lao-American communities throughout the United States.

 

The delegation discussed many of the challenges that lie ahead for Laos to bring the real benefits of US-Lao bilateral trade. Including: identifying and highlighting Laos’ competitive advantage in order to break into the US market where its neighbors such as Thailand, Vietnam and China already have a strong foothold; finding resources to continue to improve the infrastructure of Laos to enable goods to more readily and affordably reach the US market;  encouraging US investors to look at Laos as a viable investment opportunity; improving the quality and quantity of education and training programs in Laos to strengthen its human resources; and developing a strong network and avenues of communication to strengthen business cooperation between the two countries.

 

In addition Laotian Americans and others in the US gained a better understanding of the business environment in Laos and the opportunities that exist for trade and investment.   The tour has created many constructive suggestions and recommendations, laying the foundation for a favorable environment to facilitate business between the two countries. 

 

In addition to meeting with the business community and  the multi-ethnic Lao-American communities in the US the members of the delegation met with Representative George Miller (D-CA) and Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN) and their staff, the Senate Finance committee, and staff of the Department of State and the Department of commerce. They were warmly welcomed by government officials from the cities of New York, Fresno, St Paul, and Oakland.

 

The delegation and their US counterparts agreed that there is a need to further continue the exchange visits between the two countries' business communities and to develop and plan for future events.  One follow-up to the NTR study tour are plans for a conference to be held in Laos in the fall of 2005 to encourage continued dialogue on fostering closer US-Lao business ties and opportunities. The conference will be open to members of the Laotian American and American business community in the US as well as the US business community already established in neighboring countries.

 

Members of the delegation supported by Rockefeller Foundation:

 

  1. Minister Soulivong DARAVONG, Minister of commerce (New York, Washington, DC, Dallas, St. Paul, Oakland)
  2. Ambassador Vang RATTANAVONG, Vice-President Tourism Authority (Fresno, New York, Washington, DC, Elgin and Dekalb, St. Paul, Oakland)
  3. Ms. Khemmani PHOLSENA, General Director, Foreign Trade Dept. (New York, Washington, DC, St. Paul, Oakland)
  4. Mr. Houmpheng SOURALAY, Deputy Permanent Secretary, CPI. (Fresno, New York, Washington, DC, Elgin and Dekalb, St. Paul, Oakland)
  5. Mr. Phonesavanh CHANTHAVILAY, Deputy Gen. Director, Dept. of International Organizations, MOFA (Fresno, New York, Washington, DC, Elgin and Dekalb, St. Paul, Oakland)
  6. Mr. Lythou Bouapao, Director General, Planning and Cooperation department, Ministry of Education (Fresno, New York, Washington, DC, Elgin and Dekalb, St. Paul)
  7. Mr. One-Sy BOUTSIVONGSAKD, LNCCI, President Textile Industry Association (Fresno, New York, Washington, DC, Elgin and Dekalb, St. Paul, Oakland)
  8. Ms. Chanthao PATHAMMAVONG, LNCCI, President Handicraft Association (Fresno, New York, Washington, DC, Elgin and Dekalb, St. Paul, Oakland)

Self-Funded Members of the delegation:

  1. Mr. Khamphone PHOLSENA, MD. Lanexang Travel  (New York, Washington, DC, Dallas, St. Paul, Oakland)
  2. Ms. Manola DARAVONG, Khualao Restaurant, (New York, Washington, DC, Dallas, St. Paul, Oakland)
  3. Mr. Phoutsadou INTHAVONG, MD. Maliny Construction  (Fresno, New York, Washington, DC, Elgin and Dekalb, St. Paul)
  4. Ms. Chanhsy DARAVONG, wife of Minister Soulivong  (New York, Washington, DC, Dallas, St. Paul, Oakland)
  5. Mr. Sounthone PHOMMACHAK, Deputy MD. Beer Lao Co. (New York, Washington, DC )
  6. Ms. Manichanh PHOMMACHAK, Maichanh Boutique, Fine Art and Handicrafts (New York, Washington, DC )
  7. Mr. Vannada PHOMMASATHITH, Chinda Handicraft Boutique (Fresno, New York, Washington, DC, Elgin and Dekalb, St. Paul, Oakland)
  8. Mr. Souphot MANIKHONG, SMP Wood Handicraft Co.  (Fresno, New York, Washington, DC, Elgin and Dekalb, St. Paul)
  9. Mr. Bounthong NHOTMANKHONG, Thonglahasin Textile Handicraft  (New York, Washington, DC )
  10. Ms. Songbandith NHOTMANKHONG, Thonglahasin Textile Handicraft (New York, Washington, DC )
  11. Mr. Sithisone PHOMMILATH, President and CEO, Production Wood Factory (New York)
  12. Mr. Yothin VETSAPHONG, President and CEO, Mountheva Furniture and Interior Decoration co Ltd. (New York)
  13. Mr. Savang, VETSAPHONG, Vice President, Mountheva Furniture and Interior Decoration co Ltd. (New York)