The primary objective of the meeting was to provide an update on the progress made on issues raised during previous LBF sessions and to facilitate a discussion among Agribusiness businesses to identify and prioritize challenges hindering their operations. Participants were encouraged to propose recommendations to address these obstacles, which will be summarized by the LBF Secretariat for consideration and inclusion in the consultation process of the 16th LBF. The following topics were discussed and addressed during the PSWG meeting:

Proposals that are currently resolving:

1. Direct delivery of goods by foreign trucks to Lao PDR without transloading at dry ports to promote exports.

2. Strengthening the agribusiness association

3. Determining policies to promote domestic production

4. Competition from illegal imports

5. Price control of agricultural products

Following this meeting, the Secretariat of the Lao Business Forum, in collaboration with the agribusiness sector working group, will compile the priority issues raised by participants. A proposal outlining these issues will be submitted to relevant government agencies for further research and preparation for the next stage of public-private consultative meeting.

Lao PDR Competitiveness and Trade project (LCT) is implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, with technical and financial support from the World Bank and additional financial contributions from Australia, Ireland, and the United States. The project aims to eliminate barriers to private sector-led growth by improving the regulatory environment, lowering trade costs, and raising firm-level competitiveness.