Despite huge challenges, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) is on an increasingly sustainable development path with growing opportunities to build on reforms achieved so far. This small, landlocked nation of less than 6 million people is fighting poverty, addressing social inequities, and building stronger capacity to manage its rich natural resources. Lao PDR has been growing at a rate of 6.5 percent a year since 2001, and real GDP growth of Lao PDR, which was estimated at 7 percent in 2009, is expected to increase to 7.8 percent in 2010.

Taking the opportunity of the visit by the Mr. Illangovan Patchamuthu, the World Bank's Country Manager for Lao PDR since November 2005, and Ms. Keiko Miwa who will be the new Country Manager for the country, the World Bank Tokyo Office will organize a public seminar on "Opportunities and challenges of development in Laos", featuring his presentation to discuss development issues in Lao PDR and update on Nam Theun 2 Project.

Date/Time:

Tuesday, July 20, 4:00pm-6:00pm

Venue:

The World Bank Tokyo Office – Conference Room
10F, Fukoku Seimei Bld. 2-2-2Uchisaiwai-cho Chiyoda-ku
Map 

Program:

Part 1 "Opportunities and challenges of development in Laos"

4:00-4:05	Opening Remarks	Mr. Kazushige Taniguchi, Special Representative, the World Bank Tokyo Office
4:05-4:25	Report	Mr. Patchamuthu Illangovan, the World Bank's Country Manager for Lao PDR
4:25-4:55	Q & A

Part 2 “Update on Nam Theun 2 Project”

5:00-5:30	Report	Mr. Patchamuthu Illangovan, the World Bank's Country Manager for Lao PDR
5:30-6:00	Q & A

Language:

Japanese and English (with simultaneous translation)

Registration:

To attend, please register online at the World Bank Tokyo Office website or send your name, affiliation, contact information via email to ptokyo@worldbank.org (admission free).

Inquiry:

Yukako Hiraki, the World Bank Tokyo Office
yhiraki@worldbank.org Phone: 03-3597-6650