The main objective of this consolidated programme of support is to provide more efficient and results-based support to help Lao PDR achieve the goals of the 7th NSEDP 2011-2015, especially more inclusive and equitable growth, the MDGs and substantial progress towards graduation from LDC status.
The programme aims to strengthen the Government's capacity at central and local levels to improve its planning, implementation and monitoring processes, promoting an integrated and coordinated approach to mainstream poverty reduction, gender equality and achievement of the MDGs. It also aims to improve monitoring and reporting of the 7th NSEDP to promote the use of information and policy research and analysis for more effective implementation and future policy and strategy formulation and planning. Building on the success of the Round Table Process to date, the programme will further strengthen capacity of the Government for effective management and coordination of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and for mobilizing high quality Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to contribute to the achievement of the 7th NSEDP priorities.
2. Inclusive Finance: Making Access to Finance more Inclusive for Poor People
Project Cycle
Budget
Donor(s)
Implementing Partner(s)
Project Site(s)
2010 - 2014
$7,012,189 (total required)
$1,443,982 (UNCFD core funding)
$100,000 (UNDP core funding)
$5,468,207 (unfunded budget, Feb 2012)
UNCDF
UNDP
Bank of Lao PDR
Vientiane Capital
Expected results:
The joint UNCDF/UNDP programme on Making Access to Finance more Inclusive for Poor People is designed to improve equitable access to land, markets and social and economic services, as well as to creating an environment for growth with equity. It will specifically increase access to financial services for low-income households and micro-entrepreneurs on a sustainable basis from 30,000 active clients in 2010 to over 140,000 active clients in 2014.
The joint-programme gives practical expression to the Vientiane and Paris Declaration by establishing a pooled funding mechanism to facilitate donor coordination, provide a framework for more coherent programming, which will provide strategic capital and technical assistance to:
Bank of Lao PDR (BoL) to strengthen its capacity to act as a channel for consolidating sector recommendations and facilitating dialogue among regulators and multiple stakeholders.
Financial institutions and business support service providers in order to help scale-up delivery of sustainable credit and non-credit products to poor households and micro-entrepreneurs.
Microfinance working group to transform it into a formal association for microfinance providers, enabling retailers to make a positive contribution to the overall development of the sector.
Lao PDR
