Minister of Education and Sports Phout Simmalavong (R) and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh in Vientiane on June 23

(KPL) A handover ceremony for the dormitory of the Lao-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre, which is funded with a financial grant of US$50,000 from the Government of India as a Quick Impact Project under Mekong – Ganga Cooperation framework.

Present at the handover ceremony included Minister of Education and Sports Phout Simmalavong, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Indian Ambassador to Laos Dinkar Asthana and relevant officials of both sides. 

The 5-room dormitory is located at Somvang, Hadsayfong district, Vientiane. It aims to accommodate Indian experts and guests who come to the training sessions held at the centre.

Minister of Education and Sports Phout Simmalavong

“In recent years, the government of India has assisted in building the Lao-India Entrepreneur Development Centre, which was established in November 2004 under the auspices of the ASEAN Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI),” said Minister Phout Simmalavong.

“Indian government also provided office equipment, helped improve curriculum as well as provide long-term and short-term training courses to technical officials of Laos both in the country and aboard,” said the minister.

Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh

“Today is another important milestone in strengthening the excellent bilateral cooperation between our two friendly countries. We are here for the hand-over ceremony for the five-room dormitory at the Lao-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre (LIEDC),” said the Indian minister.

I am especially happy that the handover ceremony is taking place during a time when we ourselves are in the midst of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav - as we affectionately, call our celebrations to commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.

The LIEDC is a visible symbol of Lao-India Cooperation and its work has been appreciated by both countries. In particular, COVID- 19 has impacted the Lao economy leading to a closure of a large number of businesses and the resultant unemployment. People trained at the LIEDC should be in a better position to start their own businesses and earn their livelihood.

The Government of India also supported the Centre with a cash grant, manuals, text books besides stationing an advisor from EDII for two years at the LIEDC.

The LIEDC was set-up in November 2004 with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI), Ahmedabad, acting as the partner organization or mentor. It trains Lao entrepreneurs for setting-up small and medium scale business.

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