Includes how major projects are financed and gives examples where relevant. Explains activities of the multilateral development banks in and other aid-funded projects where procurement is open to U.S. bidders.

On June 12, 2009 President Obama issued a Presidential determination that Laos and Cambodia would no longer be classified as “Marxist-Leninist countries” as defined in the Export Import Act.  This determination opened the door for Ex-Im Bank activity in those two countries, although Ex-Im Bank is not currently financing any projects in Laos.

An OPIC agreement was signed in 1996, and an agreement with the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) in 1998. In 1998, the government signed an agreement with the Mekong Project Development Facility (MPDF), a multi-donor funded operation managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).  The MPDF is designed to promote the establishment and expansion of privately owned, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as joint venture projects with significant local private participation in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.  The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are very active in Laos and are often involved in providing financing or guarantees for major projects.  Lao PDR registered as a member of Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in 2014.

Multilateral Development Banks:
U.S. Commercial Service Liaison Offices at the Multilateral Development Banks (Asian Development Bank, World Bank)
The Commercial Service maintains Commercial Liaison Offices in each of the main Multilateral Development Banks, including the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. These institutions lend billions of dollars in developing countries on projects aimed at accelerating economic growth and social development by reducing poverty and inequality, improving health and education, and advancing infrastructure development. The Commercial Liaison Offices help American businesses learn how to get involved in bank-funded projects, and advocate on behalf of American bidders. Learn more by contacting the Commercial Liaison Offices to the Asian Development Bank  and the World Bank.

Web Resources

Commercial Liaison Office to Asian Development Bank
Commercial Liaison Office to the World Bank
 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.