(KPL) The closing ceremony was held in Vientiane on October 21 by the Industry, Commerce and Energy Institute under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with the Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) programme.

The ceremony was co-chaired by Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaithong Kommasith and Australian Ambassador to the Lao PDR Megan Jones. Participants included representatives of the project, entrepreneurs and the Handicraft Group for Persons with Disabilities in Pak Ou District, Luang Prabang Province, as well as officials from the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Malaithong said the project had assessed the challenges faced by women and persons with disabilities, providing a basis for developing more inclusive business promotion policies for the ministry and Luang Prabang Province.

The initiative also helped entrepreneurs improve product packaging to meet relevant standards, understand the process for applying for ODOP trademarks and develop the skills and confidence needed to market their products online.

Mr. Malaithong highlighted the project's role in helping women and persons with disabilities move beyond being recipients of assistance to become business owners and active contributors to local economic development.

He called on government agencies, development partners, businesses and local entrepreneurs to review the project's achievements, identify remaining challenges and share lessons to guide future initiatives.

The closing ceremony provided a platform for stakeholders to assess the project's results and discuss ways to sustain its benefits, strengthen inclusive entrepreneurship and expand economic opportunities for women and persons with disabilities in the Lao PDR.

KPL