IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Consultation Workshop generates discussion on the development of the Lao rubber sector

26 January 2009 | Event

Hosted by the National Economic Research Institute with support from IUCN Lao PDR, a consultation workshop on investment trends and actors in the Lao rubber sector was held on 18 December 2008 in Vientiane.

About 20 participants from Lao government agencies, civil society and research institutes came together to discuss the findings of collaborative research on investment trends in the Lao rubber sector and linkages to the Vietnamese and Chinese rubber industries.

The participants also shared ideas and strategies for the more sustainable development of rubber in Lao PDR.

The workshop was organized as part of the “Rubber in the GMS” research project, which is supported by Sumernet, the Sustainable Mekong Research Network. This project, involving parallel research conducted by IUCN Lao PDR, NAFRI and ERI, aims to enhance the understanding of current trade and investment trends, as well as of the social, economic and environmental impacts of rubber development in Lao PDR.

The research report for the IUCN component of project is currently being finalized and will be released in 2009.

For more information on the “Rubber in the GMS” project and the report, please contact Ms Charlotte Hicks, IUCN Lao PDR, at charlotte@iucnlao.org or +856-21-216401