SINGAPORE, 12 September 2022 – Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), with support from the Republic Polytechnic of Singapore and the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), concluded the third cycle of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Project Proposal Writing Course for Lao PDR officials on 9 September. 

The Laos-Singapore Cooperation Centre in Vientiane hosted the online training from August 29 to September 9, attended by 21 Laotian officials from seven ministries and the Bank of Lao PDR. The Republic Polytechnic of Singapore facilitated the first part of the training duration from August 29 to September 2, while ASEC continued the second half from September 5 – 9.  

ASEC trained the officials to develop a regional project proposal and to manage the ASEAN cooperation projects (ACPs) using a results-based management approach, including preparing the budget formulation, fund disbursements, and reporting. Meanwhile, the ASEAN-ROK Development Cooperation Programme Management team shared their experience in project proposal development from an ASEAN partner’s perspective.  

At the training, participants learned to tap into available resources for ACPs and the processes throughout the ASEAN project cycle. 

Following the five-day training with ASEC, the participants developed four drafts of regional project proposals on strengthening capacities of health care providers in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar; improving bus transportation management system in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam; promoting Foreign Direct Investment through website development; and enhancing skills of ASEAN farmers on crop cultivation and management.  

At the end of the training, all participants received a certificate jointly issued by Singapore’s MFA and ASEC. The participants appreciated the opportunity to work together with officials from other line ministries in Lao PDR during the group works.   

The next training is for the Vietnamese officials is scheduled between October 10 – 21, 2022.  

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