LBF structure and processes:

The LBF is structured at four levels: an annual forum, steering committee meetings, public private consultation meetings, and private sector working groups’ meetings. LNCCI acts as the Secretariat for the LBF and is responsible for overall coordination and facilitation

 

Annual Forum

The Lao Business Forum is held once a year, and is chaired by the Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs. The LBF is an opportunity for the Private Sector Working Groups, other BMOs to inform top-level government officials about what they have achieved in their regular meetings and to identify issues that remain unresolved. Before the Forum, the Steering Committee has an important role to agree on priority reforms, make decisions on follow up actions and refer matters to relevant government agencies.

 

Steering Committee Meetings

Membership of the Steering Committee consists of representatives from line Ministries/agencies (department management level), heads of private sector working groups. The committee is chaired by MoIC Minister and co-chaired by LNCCI President. The committee meets twice a year to review progress and finalize the forum agenda and agreed on major inputs to the forum. Based on recommendations and advice from the Secretariat, the Steering Committee meeting will consider priority reforms for business and either make decisions for improvement or refer issues to relevant government bodies. This will ensure priority actions are ready to be reported at the Forum.

 

Private Sector Working Groups and Public Private Consultation Meetings

Currently there are about 16 Working Groups operating under LBF structure, majority of which are sector based and one working group is responsible for cross sectoral issues.

The Private Sector Working Group (PSWG) meeting is an open meeting for private sector members of the PS WG, and representatives of all the companies that are interested in participating. These meetings are held ahead of the public and private consultation meetings that take place prior to bi-annual steering committee meetings.

Meetings of the Public Private Consultation meetings of respective Working Groups take place as often as necessary during the six-month period between each bi-annual steering committee meetings.

The Secretariat will support the Working Groups to develop their policy ideas in advance of the consultation meetings to improve the quality of the dialogue.

 

Composition, leadership, and role of the Public Private Consultation (PPC) Meetings

The PPC meetings are the engine of the LBF. Each meeting is co-chaired by LNCCI Vice President and DG/DDG of relevant department of government Ministries and participated by key members of respected PS WGs.

The PPC meetings discuss an agreed agenda of issues that generally relate to restrictions on business, planning and prioritization, and they may decide to set up task force groups to investigate specific issues.