VIENTIANE, LAO PDR — On May 29, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI),

provided grants to four private companies, non-governmental organizations and local associations totaling $690,000 to scale innovative models for clean energy integration.

USAID Acting Deputy Country Representative to Lao PDR Mr. Cullen Hughes presented awards to four successful grantees: LOCA Company Limited, Mai Savanh Lao Sole Co., Ltd, Village Focus International, and Friends of Pha Tad Ke Association. These recipients mobilized an additional $900,000 for clean energy solutions in Lao PDR to match the funds provided by USAID.

This grant program is part of the Japan-U.S. Mekong Power Partnership (JUMPP) to support clean energy integration in the region. It contributes to the Lao PDR’s 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2021-2025) objectives for improving electricity access, increasing the share of renewable energies, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing income generation opportunities, and increasing private sector engagement in the energy sector.

Mr. Hughes stated, “Globally USAID has an ambitious target of mobilizing $150 billion in public and private finance by 2030 to address the climate crisis. Today’s event marks the addition of four new Lao PDR organizations to the growing list of companies and non-government entities that are partnering with USAID in this effort.”

USAID has a history working with the LNCCI to improve the business enabling environment and small & medium enterprise competitiveness, and today marked the expansion of this partnership into the area of renewable energy solutions to address climate change.