Comparative Studies on FDI Policy and Law in Lao People’s Democratic Republic

自1986年以来，老挝政府即打开国门将新经济体制（NEM）引入国内从而参与全球经济体系，并由计划经济模式向市场经济模式转变。老挝政府自1988年开始对外商直接投资（FDI）提供优惠政策。与投资相关的法律法规则被多次修订以在老挝国内创造更好的商业和投资环境，同时促进外商直接投资进入老挝国内。 外商直接投资被认定为近十年来促进经济增长和发展的主要潜在因素之一。它将资本、技术、管理技巧带入新的市场。与其他资本流动方式相比，外商直接投资因为对东道国经济有较长期的承诺而更为稳定。投资促进政策成为老挝吸引国内及外国投资者在老挝国内开展商业活动的主要关键因素之一。 意识到外商直接投资能够促进经济发展，...Since 1986, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has opened its doors to participation in the global system by introducing the New Economic Mechanism (NEM), thus switching from a command model of economic management to one that is market oriented. The Laos government has supported a policy towards foreign direct investment (FDI) since 1988. The investment-related laws and regulations have been ame...学位：法学硕士院系专业：法学院_民商法学(含劳动法学、社会保障法学)学号：1362012115436

Revising the Student Experiment Materials and Practices at the National University of Laos

The National University of Laos (NUOL) invited a group of volunteers from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to revise the physics experiments to utilize the materials that were already available to students. The intension was to review and revise the materials regularly utilized in physics class. The project had access to limited materials and a small budget for the class in the unit; however, by developing experimental textbooks related to mechanics, electricity, and wave and vibration, the group found a way to apply them in the classroom and enhance the students teaching activities. The aim was to introduce a way to incorporate the materials and practices in the classroom to enhance the students learning and teaching skills, particularly when they graduate and begin working as high school teachers

Beginning Physics Experiments Class Using Multi Media in National University of Laos

National University of Laos (NUOL) requested Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteers to begin a physics experiments class using multi media. However, there are issues. NUOL had no physics experiment class, no space for physics experiments, experiment materials were not used for many years and were scattered in various places, and there is no projector and laptop computer in the unit. This raised the question: How do authors begin the physics experiments class using multimedia? To solve this problem, the JICA took some steps, took stock of what was available and reviewed the syllabus. The JICA then revised the experiment materials to assess what was available and then developed textbooks for experiments using them; however, the question remained, what about the multimedia component of the course? Next, the JICA reviewed Physics teacher Pavy Souvannavong's YouTube channel, where he and his students upload video reports of their physics classes at NUOL using their smartphones. While they use multi-media, almost all the videos recorded were of class presentations. To improve the multimedia style, authors edited the videos in the style of another YouTube channel, "Science for Lao," which is a science education group made up of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) in Laos. They created the channel to enhance science education in Laos, and hold regular monthly meetings in the capital, Vientiane, and at teacher training colleges in the country. They edit the video clips in three parts, which are the materials and procedures part including pictures, practice footage of the experiment part, and then the result and conclusion part. Then students perform experiments and prepare for presentation by following the videos. The revised experiment presentation reports use PowerPoint presentations, material pictures and experiment video clips. As for providing textbooks and submitting reports, the students use the e-Learning system of "Moodle" of the Information Technology Center in Dongdok campus of NUOL. The Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) donated those facilities. The authors have passed the process of the revised materials, developed textbooks, the PowerPoint slides presented by students, downloaded textbooks and uploaded reports, to begin the physics experiments class using multimedia. This is the practice research report for beginning a physics experiments class using multimedia in the physics unit at the Department of Natural Science, Faculty of Education, at the NUOL

Potential best practice for improving the access to development finance by SMEs in Lao PDR

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are important to all economies, especially emerging economies like Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) as they account for a majority of private sector businesses and are essential in generating wealth and social stability through employment creation and national outputs via investment. Even though globalization and trade liberalization bring vast benefits to businesses at all levels, the lack of access to finance by SMEs still poses negative consequences that largely endanger the economic development of the country. Despite the large amount of research that has been done on the access constraints for SMEs, limited studies have addressed the financial factors hampering the SME growth in Laos. Therefore, the present research aims at investigating possible best practices to overcome factors undermining the banks’ ability to expand credits to the SME segment. Hence this qualitative study is employed to explore issues hampering both the supply and demand sides. The study covers some of the perspectives from the government, the banks and the SMEs through interviews with 12 participants. Taking into account the dynamicity and wide variety of different operational practices of banks and SMEs, exploring factors hindering the two sectors is significantly important. Regarding supply constraints, a number of obstacles such as poor implementation mechanisms, especially on collateral enforceability; inadequate infrastructure such as a lack of reliable data by the central credit information bureau; and a lack of supporting policies remain crucial impediments which are continuously perceived as a thorn for the country’s government. As a result, SME accessibility is greatly damaged by the banks’ low risk appetites. Demand constraints however, range from factors affecting the SMEs’ feasibility to the direct access for bank financing which is associated with the lack of know-how, limited financial literacy and the inability to present viable business plans. These issues force the SMEs to rely heavily on informal sources of finance especially from personal wealth and private lenders. Realizing both the demand and supply constraints; improving the legal framework in terms of enforcing current laws and regulations; providing government subsidies and special privileges are perceived as complementary to government efforts to improve satisfying levels for private, state-owned and foreign banks to focus more on increasing SME portfolios. To ensure that the ultimate goals for both banks and SMEs are achieved, it is essential to encourage and increase coordination by all related stakeholders. The government, private sector and development agencies should work collaboratively to actively adopt and maintain a holistic approach to effectively develop both banking and SME sectors in order to help achieve the government’s objectives

COVID-19 and household water insecurities in vulnerable communities in the Mekong Region

Access to sufficient clean water is important for reducing the risks from COVID-19. It is unclear, however, what influence COVID-19 has had on water insecurities. The objective of this study was to assess the associations between COVID-19 control measures and household water insecurities. A survey of 1559 individuals living in vulnerable communities in five countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam) showed that increased needs for clean water to wash hands or facemasks made it more likely a person was water insecure along those dimensions. Water insecurities with respect to handwashing and drinking, in turn, made adoption of the corresponding good practices less likely, whereas in the case of washing facemasks there was no association. Water system infrastructure, environmental conditions such as foods and droughts, as well as gender norms and knowledge, were also important for water insecurities and the adoption of good practices. As domestic water insecurities and COVID-19 control measures are associated with each other, efforts should therefore be directed at identifying and assisting the water insecure at high risk when COVID-19 reaches their communities

Stakeholder perspectives on COVID-19 and household water access in vulnerable communities in the Mekong Region

The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the importance of safe access to sufficient clean water in vulnerable communities, renewing interest in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs and related targets under Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6). The purpose of this study was to better understand the obstacles to water access in vulnerable communities and identify ways they might be addressed in five countries in the Mekong Region (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam). To this end, qualitative interviews with 50 government officials and development or health experts were complimented with a quantitative survey of the experiences and views of individuals in 15 vulnerable communities. There were several key findings. First, difficulties in accessing sufficient clean water for drinking and hygiene persist in certain vulnerable communities, including informal urban settlements, remote minority villages, and migrant worker camps. Second, limited rights, high prices, and remote locations were common obstacles to household access to improved water sources. Third, seasonal differences in the availability of clean water, alongside other disruptions to supply such as restrictions on movement in COVID-19 responses, drove households towards lower quality sources. Fourth, there are multiple threats to water quality from source to consumption that should be addressed by monitoring, treatment, and watershed protection. Fifth, stakeholder groups differ from each other and residents of vulnerable communities regarding the significance of water access, supply and quality difficulties, and how they should be addressed. The paper ends with a set of program suggestions addressing these water-related difficulties

Affordable, Abbreviated Roche Monitor Assay for Quantification of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 RNA in Plasma

The cost for the Roche Monitor assay kit can be reduced 50% by using only the 1:1, 1:25, and 1:625 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the 1:1 quantitation standard dilutions. This abbreviated test applied to 1,774 mostly African samples had results nearly identical to those obtained following the package insert instructions. To make this approach feasible, Roche would have to provide additional lysis buffer and master mix