In order to raise the awareness on consumer protection and competition, Domestic Trade Department, Ministry of Industry and Commerce held seminars in Champasak Province during 21-24 September 2015 and 27-30 September 2015 in Luangprabang Province respectively in order to promote understanding about Consumer Protection and Competition which supported by Australian Government (AANZFTA) under Competition Law Implementation Program (CLIP) and the meetings were co-chaired by Mr. Bounthiene KEOSIPHA, Acting Domestic Trade Department and Mr. Derek FARRELL, Regional Director of Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). There were more than 140 representatives from industry and commerce sectors (4 central provinces, 4 southern provinces attended the workshop held in Champasak and 8 northern provinces attended the meeting held in Luangprabang), sectors concerned, private sectors and GIZ national coordinator attended the workshops.

The purposes of seminars were to increase the understanding for government officials and private employees about consumer protection and competition especially on importance, opportunities and challenges of these two issues because these can help to protect consumers’ rights and consumers who might be negatively affected to their life, health and property from goods and services consumption. In addition, Lao PDR has committed in ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint to develop Competition Policy and Law by 2015. Competition is a crucial activity for Lao PDR. Hence, it is very important to promote understanding for government officials and private sectors to realize basic principles of competition in order to get ready and solve some obstacles such as financials, human resources, quality of goods and services in order to compete with foreigners.

During the workshops participants had actively discussed and exchanged lesson, experiences and situation of consumer protection and competition in which this made Mr. Derek FARRELL very impressed and he gave a commitment to continue to support Lao PDR again in the future.

Meeting at Luangphabang province

Meeting at Champasack province

[Ministry of Industry and Commerce]