Sweden grants further to Laos.

The government of Sweden has provided a further grant of  SEK 150.00 million  about US$ 21.5 million, to the government of Laos.

The amended agreement on development cooperation between the two governments was signed on Friday, 5 January 2007 between the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Phongsavath Boupha, and the Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Swedish Embassy, Ms AnnLis Åberg.

The two governments had previously signed a two-year agreement amounting to some US$60 million for 2004 through 2006, and have now extended the same strategy with a one-year agreement for 2007.

The funding has financed more than 10 development projects, including the improvement of socio-economic development in mountainous areas, natural resource development in conjunction with environmental protection and the creation of a national forestry strategy.

The grants have also been used to improve basic education through the Education Quality Improvement Project, with joint funding from the Asian Development Bank.

Within the scope of the previous two-year agreement, government agriculture staff were sent to study overseas, including some who acquired masters' and doctoral degrees.

The funds have also been used to provide permanent job opportunities for ethnic people in Oudomxay and Luang Prabang provinces, rural road building projects, and the promotion of gender equality and good governance.

Other funds were used to improve government revenue, accounting systems, and tax and excise duty arrangements, among other improvements to management.

As previous funding has not yet been entirely expended, some projects that have been proposed remain to be carried out over the next year. The government of Sweden has also decided to contribute additional financing for project implementation.

Future bilateral cooperation on various projects from 2008-2010 will be discussed at an annual meeting to coincide with the visit of the Swedish delegation from January 26-30.

During the visit, both parties will conduct mid-term reviews of ongoing projects and current cooperative development strategies.

----------------------