Vulnerability and Safety Nets in Lao PDR

Lao PDR has experienced high levels of economic growth in recent years and the incidence of poverty has fallen dramatically since the 1990s. Yet, this report shows that Lao households continue to be highly vulnerable to regular seasonal fluctuation...

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Main Authors: Lindelow, Magnus, Fenton, Nina
Format: Policy Note
Language:English
en_US
Published: World Bank, Washington, DC 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2009/12/16426369/vulnerability-safety-nets-lao-pdr
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/12804
id okr-10986-12804
recordtype oai_dc
repository_type Digital Repository
institution_category Foreign Institution
institution Digital Repositories
building World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
collection World Bank
language English
en_US
topic ACCESS TO CREDIT
ACCESS TO SERVICES
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS
AFFORDABLE PRICES
AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
AGRICULTURAL SECTORS
AGRICULTURAL SHOCKS
BENEFICIARIES
BIRTH GRANT
BORROWING
BUSINESS CONFIDENCE
CASH BENEFIT
CASH CROPS
CASH TRANSFER
CASH TRANSFER PROGRAMS
CASH TRANSFERS
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CHILD HEALTH
CHILD LABOUR
CHRONICALLY POOR
CLIMATE CHANGE
CLINICS
COMMUNITY ASSETS
CONDITIONAL CASH
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
COPING BEHAVIORS
COPING STRATEGIES
CREDIT MARKETS
CRIME
DISABLED
DISASTERS
DIVERSIFICATION
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
DROUGHT
EARNING CAPACITY
EARNINGS
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS
ECONOMIC CRISES
ECONOMIC CRISIS
ECONOMIC GROWTH
ECONOMIC POLICY
ECONOMIC SHOCK
EMERGENCY FOOD
EMPLOYEE
EMPLOYERS
EMPLOYMENT CREATION
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
ENROLLMENT
EQUITY FUNDS
ETHNIC GROUP
ETHNIC GROUPS
ETHNIC MINORITIES
ETHNIC MINORITY
ETHNIC MINORITY HOUSEHOLDS
EXPENDITURE
FAMILIES
FARM SECTOR
FARM WORK
FARMERS
FEE WAIVERS
FEMALE-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS
FINANCIAL COSTS
FINANCIAL CRISES
FINANCIAL CRISIS
FINANCIAL DISTRESS
FINANCIAL MARKETS
FINANCIAL PROTECTION
FINANCIAL RISK
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
FOOD CONSUMPTION
FOOD EXPENDITURES
FOOD INSECURITY
FOOD ITEMS
FOOD PRICE
FOOD PRICES
FOOD PROCESSING
FOOD PROGRAM
FOOD SECURITY
FOOD TRANSFER
FOOD TRANSFERS
FOOD-FOR-WORK
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
FORMAL INSURANCE
FORMAL SAFETY NETS
HANDICRAFT
HEALTH BENEFITS
HEALTH CARE
HEALTH CARE SERVICES
HEALTH EXPENDITURES
HEALTH INSURANCE
HEALTH SERVICES
HEALTH SYSTEM
HOME RATION
HOME RATIONS
HOSPITALS
HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION
HOUSEHOLD LEVEL
HOUSEHOLD SIZE
HOUSEHOLD WELFARE
HUMAN CAPITAL
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
INCIDENCE OF POVERTY
INCOME
INCOME GROWTH
INFORMAL SAFETY NETS
INPUT PRICE
IRRIGATION
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
JOB CREATION
JOB LOSS
KEY CHALLENGES
LABOR DEMAND
LABOR FORCE SURVEYS
LABOR MARKET
LABOR MARKET POLICIES
LABOR MARKET PROGRAMS
LABOR SUPPLY
LABOUR FORCE
LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION
LACK OF ACCESS
LACK OF CREDIT
LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
LAND RIGHTS
LEAN SEASON
LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT
LIVING CONDITIONS
LOSS OF INCOME
MALNUTRITION
MARKET ECONOMY
MARKET PRICES
MEDICAL SERVICES
MIGRANT REMITTANCES
MIGRANT WORKERS
MIGRANTS
MIGRATION
MINIMUM WAGE
MINIMUM WAGES
MINORITY GROUPS
NATURAL DISASTERS
NUTRITION
NUTRITION PROJECT
NUTRITIONAL STATUS
PARTICIPATORY POVERTY ASSESSMENTS
PATIENT
PATIENTS
PENSION
POCKET EXPENDITURES
POCKET PAYMENTS
POOR
POOR SOIL QUALITY
POVERTY ERADICATION
POVERTY PROFILE
POVERTY REDUCTION
POVERTY TRAPS
PRECAUTIONARY SAVINGS
PRICE FLOOR
PRICE STABILITY
PRICE STABILIZATION
PRICE SUBSIDIES
PRODUCTIVE ASSETS
PROVISION OF CREDIT
PUBLIC FACILITIES
PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
PUBLIC SERVICES
PUBLIC WORKS
PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS
PURCHASING POWER
RECESSION
REGISTRATION PROCESS
RELIEF FOOD
REMITTANCES
REMOTE AREAS
REMOTE RURAL AREAS
RISK AVOIDANCE
RISK MANAGEMENT
RURAL
RURAL COMMUNITIES
RURAL HOUSEHOLDS
RURAL INCOMES
RURAL ROAD
RURAL VILLAGES
SAFE WATER
SAFETY NET
SAFETY NET PROGRAMS
SAFETY NETS
SANITATION
SCHOLARSHIP
SCHOLARSHIPS
SCHOOL ENROLLMENTS
SCHOOL FEEDING
SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMS
SCHOOL VOUCHERS
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
SERVICE PROVIDERS
SHOCK
SIBLINGS
SITE FEEDING
SMALL FARMS
SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
SOCIAL NETWORKS
SOCIAL PENSION
SOCIAL PROTECTION
SOCIAL SAFETY NETS
SOCIAL SECURITY
SOCIAL SERVICES
SOCIAL WELFARE
SOURCE OF INCOME
TARGETING
TRADE UNIONS
TRANSACTION COSTS
TRANSFER PROGRAM
TRANSFER PROGRAMS
UNEMPLOYMENT
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT
UNION
URBAN AREA
URBAN AREAS
USER CHARGES
USER FEES
VILLAGE
VILLAGE LEADERS
VILLAGES
VIOLENCE
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
VULNERABLE GROUPS
VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS
WAGE DIFFERENTIALS
WELFARE PROGRAMS
WORKERS
WORKFARE
spellingShingle ACCESS TO CREDIT
ACCESS TO SERVICES
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS
AFFORDABLE PRICES
AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
AGRICULTURAL SECTORS
AGRICULTURAL SHOCKS
BENEFICIARIES
BIRTH GRANT
BORROWING
BUSINESS CONFIDENCE
CASH BENEFIT
CASH CROPS
CASH TRANSFER
CASH TRANSFER PROGRAMS
CASH TRANSFERS
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CHILD HEALTH
CHILD LABOUR
CHRONICALLY POOR
CLIMATE CHANGE
CLINICS
COMMUNITY ASSETS
CONDITIONAL CASH
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
COPING BEHAVIORS
COPING STRATEGIES
CREDIT MARKETS
CRIME
DISABLED
DISASTERS
DIVERSIFICATION
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
DROUGHT
EARNING CAPACITY
EARNINGS
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS
ECONOMIC CRISES
ECONOMIC CRISIS
ECONOMIC GROWTH
ECONOMIC POLICY
ECONOMIC SHOCK
EMERGENCY FOOD
EMPLOYEE
EMPLOYERS
EMPLOYMENT CREATION
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
ENROLLMENT
EQUITY FUNDS
ETHNIC GROUP
ETHNIC GROUPS
ETHNIC MINORITIES
ETHNIC MINORITY
ETHNIC MINORITY HOUSEHOLDS
EXPENDITURE
FAMILIES
FARM SECTOR
FARM WORK
FARMERS
FEE WAIVERS
FEMALE-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS
FINANCIAL COSTS
FINANCIAL CRISES
FINANCIAL CRISIS
FINANCIAL DISTRESS
FINANCIAL MARKETS
FINANCIAL PROTECTION
FINANCIAL RISK
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
FOOD CONSUMPTION
FOOD EXPENDITURES
FOOD INSECURITY
FOOD ITEMS
FOOD PRICE
FOOD PRICES
FOOD PROCESSING
FOOD PROGRAM
FOOD SECURITY
FOOD TRANSFER
FOOD TRANSFERS
FOOD-FOR-WORK
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT
FORMAL INSURANCE
FORMAL SAFETY NETS
HANDICRAFT
HEALTH BENEFITS
HEALTH CARE
HEALTH CARE SERVICES
HEALTH EXPENDITURES
HEALTH INSURANCE
HEALTH SERVICES
HEALTH SYSTEM
HOME RATION
HOME RATIONS
HOSPITALS
HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION
HOUSEHOLD LEVEL
HOUSEHOLD SIZE
HOUSEHOLD WELFARE
HUMAN CAPITAL
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
INCIDENCE OF POVERTY
INCOME
INCOME GROWTH
INFORMAL SAFETY NETS
INPUT PRICE
IRRIGATION
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
JOB CREATION
JOB LOSS
KEY CHALLENGES
LABOR DEMAND
LABOR FORCE SURVEYS
LABOR MARKET
LABOR MARKET POLICIES
LABOR MARKET PROGRAMS
LABOR SUPPLY
LABOUR FORCE
LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION
LACK OF ACCESS
LACK OF CREDIT
LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
LAND RIGHTS
LEAN SEASON
LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT
LIVING CONDITIONS
LOSS OF INCOME
MALNUTRITION
MARKET ECONOMY
MARKET PRICES
MEDICAL SERVICES
MIGRANT REMITTANCES
MIGRANT WORKERS
MIGRANTS
MIGRATION
MINIMUM WAGE
MINIMUM WAGES
MINORITY GROUPS
NATURAL DISASTERS
NUTRITION
NUTRITION PROJECT
NUTRITIONAL STATUS
PARTICIPATORY POVERTY ASSESSMENTS
PATIENT
PATIENTS
PENSION
POCKET EXPENDITURES
POCKET PAYMENTS
POOR
POOR SOIL QUALITY
POVERTY ERADICATION
POVERTY PROFILE
POVERTY REDUCTION
POVERTY TRAPS
PRECAUTIONARY SAVINGS
PRICE FLOOR
PRICE STABILITY
PRICE STABILIZATION
PRICE SUBSIDIES
PRODUCTIVE ASSETS
PROVISION OF CREDIT
PUBLIC FACILITIES
PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
PUBLIC SERVICES
PUBLIC WORKS
PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS
PURCHASING POWER
RECESSION
REGISTRATION PROCESS
RELIEF FOOD
REMITTANCES
REMOTE AREAS
REMOTE RURAL AREAS
RISK AVOIDANCE
RISK MANAGEMENT
RURAL
RURAL COMMUNITIES
RURAL HOUSEHOLDS
RURAL INCOMES
RURAL ROAD
RURAL VILLAGES
SAFE WATER
SAFETY NET
SAFETY NET PROGRAMS
SAFETY NETS
SANITATION
SCHOLARSHIP
SCHOLARSHIPS
SCHOOL ENROLLMENTS
SCHOOL FEEDING
SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMS
SCHOOL VOUCHERS
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
SERVICE PROVIDERS
SHOCK
SIBLINGS
SITE FEEDING
SMALL FARMS
SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
SOCIAL NETWORKS
SOCIAL PENSION
SOCIAL PROTECTION
SOCIAL SAFETY NETS
SOCIAL SECURITY
SOCIAL SERVICES
SOCIAL WELFARE
SOURCE OF INCOME
TARGETING
TRADE UNIONS
TRANSACTION COSTS
TRANSFER PROGRAM
TRANSFER PROGRAMS
UNEMPLOYMENT
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT
UNION
URBAN AREA
URBAN AREAS
USER CHARGES
USER FEES
VILLAGE
VILLAGE LEADERS
VILLAGES
VIOLENCE
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
VULNERABLE GROUPS
VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS
WAGE DIFFERENTIALS
WELFARE PROGRAMS
WORKERS
WORKFARE
Lindelow, Magnus
Fenton, Nina
Vulnerability and Safety Nets in Lao PDR
geographic_facet East Asia and Pacific
Lao People's Democratic Republic
description Lao PDR has experienced high levels of economic growth in recent years and the incidence of poverty has fallen dramatically since the 1990s. Yet, this report shows that Lao households continue to be highly vulnerable to regular seasonal fluctuations, as well as agricultural shocks and natural disasters. The report also highlights the importance of health shocks, injury and death for household welfare. Households adopt a variety of strategies to cope with these shocks, but in many cases are unable to fully smooth consumption, with negative short and long term consequences. Overall, the report points to a number of important vulnerable groups. The chronic poor in remote rural areas, including ethnic minority groups, remain highly vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations and natural disasters. However, households in urban areas, particularly the poor and near-poor, are vulnerable to future increases in food prices if they are not accompanied by increases in real wages. Moreover, as the Lao economy develops, more households will rely on off-farm work or migrant remittances, making them increasingly vulnerable to domestic and global macro-shocks. Finally, particular groups, including children, women, the disabled and the elderly are likely to be particularly badly affected by these shocks. The report goes on to discuss the potential value of social safety nets. Safety nets can reduce poverty and alleviate suffering for households who are unable to fully smooth their consumption after a shock. But effective safety nets don't just contribute to reducing poverty in the short term; they can also prevent long term poverty traps from arising (e.g. due to households being forced to sell productive assets, withdraw children from school, or reduce consumption below nutritionally adequate levels), and enable households to pursue riskier but more productive livelihood strategies. The report reveals important gaps in current policies and programs and suggests some potential directions towards implementing a comprehensive and institutionalized safety net program in Lao PDR. This will require substantial investments, not only to finance the actual programs, but also to develop the required capacity and knowledge at both local and central levels. While there are no easy solutions, reaching consensus on priorities and policy options for addressing vulnerability in Laos is essential if recent progress in poverty reduction and economic growth is to be sustained and deepened.
format Economic & Sector Work :: Policy Note
author Lindelow, Magnus
Fenton, Nina
author_facet Lindelow, Magnus
Fenton, Nina
author_sort Lindelow, Magnus
title Vulnerability and Safety Nets in Lao PDR
title_short Vulnerability and Safety Nets in Lao PDR
title_full Vulnerability and Safety Nets in Lao PDR
title_fullStr Vulnerability and Safety Nets in Lao PDR
title_full_unstemmed Vulnerability and Safety Nets in Lao PDR
title_sort vulnerability and safety nets in lao pdr
publisher World Bank, Washington, DC
publishDate 2013
url http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2009/12/16426369/vulnerability-safety-nets-lao-pdr
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/12804
_version_ 1764421314471264256
spelling okr-10986-128042021-04-23T14:03:04Z Vulnerability and Safety Nets in Lao PDR Lindelow, Magnus Fenton, Nina ACCESS TO CREDIT ACCESS TO SERVICES ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AFFORDABLE PRICES AGRICULTURAL SECTOR AGRICULTURAL SECTORS AGRICULTURAL SHOCKS BENEFICIARIES BIRTH GRANT BORROWING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE CASH BENEFIT CASH CROPS CASH TRANSFER CASH TRANSFER PROGRAMS CASH TRANSFERS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHILD HEALTH CHILD LABOUR CHRONICALLY POOR CLIMATE CHANGE CLINICS COMMUNITY ASSETS CONDITIONAL CASH CONSUMER CONFIDENCE COPING BEHAVIORS COPING STRATEGIES CREDIT MARKETS CRIME DISABLED DISASTERS DIVERSIFICATION DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DROUGHT EARNING CAPACITY EARNINGS ECONOMIC ACTIVITY ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS ECONOMIC CRISES ECONOMIC CRISIS ECONOMIC GROWTH ECONOMIC POLICY ECONOMIC SHOCK EMERGENCY FOOD EMPLOYEE EMPLOYERS EMPLOYMENT CREATION EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ENROLLMENT EQUITY FUNDS ETHNIC GROUP ETHNIC GROUPS ETHNIC MINORITIES ETHNIC MINORITY ETHNIC MINORITY HOUSEHOLDS EXPENDITURE FAMILIES FARM SECTOR FARM WORK FARMERS FEE WAIVERS FEMALE-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS FINANCIAL COSTS FINANCIAL CRISES FINANCIAL CRISIS FINANCIAL DISTRESS FINANCIAL MARKETS FINANCIAL PROTECTION FINANCIAL RISK FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY FOOD CONSUMPTION FOOD EXPENDITURES FOOD INSECURITY FOOD ITEMS FOOD PRICE FOOD PRICES FOOD PROCESSING FOOD PROGRAM FOOD SECURITY FOOD TRANSFER FOOD TRANSFERS FOOD-FOR-WORK FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT FORMAL INSURANCE FORMAL SAFETY NETS HANDICRAFT HEALTH BENEFITS HEALTH CARE HEALTH CARE SERVICES HEALTH EXPENDITURES HEALTH INSURANCE HEALTH SERVICES HEALTH SYSTEM HOME RATION HOME RATIONS HOSPITALS HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION HOUSEHOLD LEVEL HOUSEHOLD SIZE HOUSEHOLD WELFARE HUMAN CAPITAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INCIDENCE OF POVERTY INCOME INCOME GROWTH INFORMAL SAFETY NETS INPUT PRICE IRRIGATION IRRIGATION SYSTEMS JOB CREATION JOB LOSS KEY CHALLENGES LABOR DEMAND LABOR FORCE SURVEYS LABOR MARKET LABOR MARKET POLICIES LABOR MARKET PROGRAMS LABOR SUPPLY LABOUR FORCE LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION LACK OF ACCESS LACK OF CREDIT LACK OF KNOWLEDGE LAND RIGHTS LEAN SEASON LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT LIVING CONDITIONS LOSS OF INCOME MALNUTRITION MARKET ECONOMY MARKET PRICES MEDICAL SERVICES MIGRANT REMITTANCES MIGRANT WORKERS MIGRANTS MIGRATION MINIMUM WAGE MINIMUM WAGES MINORITY GROUPS NATURAL DISASTERS NUTRITION NUTRITION PROJECT NUTRITIONAL STATUS PARTICIPATORY POVERTY ASSESSMENTS PATIENT PATIENTS PENSION POCKET EXPENDITURES POCKET PAYMENTS POOR POOR SOIL QUALITY POVERTY ERADICATION POVERTY PROFILE POVERTY REDUCTION POVERTY TRAPS PRECAUTIONARY SAVINGS PRICE FLOOR PRICE STABILITY PRICE STABILIZATION PRICE SUBSIDIES PRODUCTIVE ASSETS PROVISION OF CREDIT PUBLIC FACILITIES PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PUBLIC SERVICES PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS PURCHASING POWER RECESSION REGISTRATION PROCESS RELIEF FOOD REMITTANCES REMOTE AREAS REMOTE RURAL AREAS RISK AVOIDANCE RISK MANAGEMENT RURAL RURAL COMMUNITIES RURAL HOUSEHOLDS RURAL INCOMES RURAL ROAD RURAL VILLAGES SAFE WATER SAFETY NET SAFETY NET PROGRAMS SAFETY NETS SANITATION SCHOLARSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOOL ENROLLMENTS SCHOOL FEEDING SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMS SCHOOL VOUCHERS SECONDARY SCHOOLS SERVICE PROVIDERS SHOCK SIBLINGS SITE FEEDING SMALL FARMS SOCIAL ASSISTANCE SOCIAL NETWORKS SOCIAL PENSION SOCIAL PROTECTION SOCIAL SAFETY NETS SOCIAL SECURITY SOCIAL SERVICES SOCIAL WELFARE SOURCE OF INCOME TARGETING TRADE UNIONS TRANSACTION COSTS TRANSFER PROGRAM TRANSFER PROGRAMS UNEMPLOYMENT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT UNION URBAN AREA URBAN AREAS USER CHARGES USER FEES VILLAGE VILLAGE LEADERS VILLAGES VIOLENCE VOCATIONAL TRAINING VULNERABLE GROUPS VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS WAGE DIFFERENTIALS WELFARE PROGRAMS WORKERS WORKFARE Lao PDR has experienced high levels of economic growth in recent years and the incidence of poverty has fallen dramatically since the 1990s. Yet, this report shows that Lao households continue to be highly vulnerable to regular seasonal fluctuations, as well as agricultural shocks and natural disasters. The report also highlights the importance of health shocks, injury and death for household welfare. Households adopt a variety of strategies to cope with these shocks, but in many cases are unable to fully smooth consumption, with negative short and long term consequences. Overall, the report points to a number of important vulnerable groups. The chronic poor in remote rural areas, including ethnic minority groups, remain highly vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations and natural disasters. However, households in urban areas, particularly the poor and near-poor, are vulnerable to future increases in food prices if they are not accompanied by increases in real wages. Moreover, as the Lao economy develops, more households will rely on off-farm work or migrant remittances, making them increasingly vulnerable to domestic and global macro-shocks. Finally, particular groups, including children, women, the disabled and the elderly are likely to be particularly badly affected by these shocks. The report goes on to discuss the potential value of social safety nets. Safety nets can reduce poverty and alleviate suffering for households who are unable to fully smooth their consumption after a shock. But effective safety nets don't just contribute to reducing poverty in the short term; they can also prevent long term poverty traps from arising (e.g. due to households being forced to sell productive assets, withdraw children from school, or reduce consumption below nutritionally adequate levels), and enable households to pursue riskier but more productive livelihood strategies. The report reveals important gaps in current policies and programs and suggests some potential directions towards implementing a comprehensive and institutionalized safety net program in Lao PDR. This will require substantial investments, not only to finance the actual programs, but also to develop the required capacity and knowledge at both local and central levels. While there are no easy solutions, reaching consensus on priorities and policy options for addressing vulnerability in Laos is essential if recent progress in poverty reduction and economic growth is to be sustained and deepened. 2013-03-20T22:25:19Z 2013-03-20T22:25:19Z 2009-12 http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2009/12/16426369/vulnerability-safety-nets-lao-pdr http://hdl.handle.net/10986/12804 English en_US CC BY 3.0 IGO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/ World Bank World Bank, Washington, DC Economic & Sector Work :: Policy Note Economic & Sector Work East Asia and Pacific Lao People's Democratic Republic