TDF-2 PEC Meeting Note Research Facility by ERIT October 2014

Outline Progress on approved proposals New proposals submitted: Proposal Evaluation Results

Progress on approved proposals 7 proposals submitted for the first announcement (early 2014) 3 proposals were approved by PEC for funding Some revisions were made to all 3 proposals and a representative of each research team has signed the contract to start the research activities on 9th September : Cluster Formation for Lao SMEs in Three Sectors ($19,214) Assessment of Cattle Trade Development in Lao PDR- study on potential socio-economic impacts of trade liberalization under AFTA on cattle trade and its implication for the cattle development policy in Lao PDR ($21,600) Assessment of Enterprises in Lao PDR on the Effectiveness of Preferential Trade Utilization ($26,333) Total: $67,147

New proposals 7 proposals were submitted 4 proposals were selected by the review panel for PEC to further consider for funding approval: ANU – Australian National University; CMU - Chiangmai University; ERIT – Economic Research Institute for Trade; MoIC FTPD – MoIC Foreign Trade Policy Department; NERI – National Economic Research Institute. Proposed Topics Affiliation Proposed Budget 1 Improving the Economic Vulnerability Index (EVI) for Laos: the determinants of export earning instability NERI $23,100 2 Global Value Chain and Lao PDR’s SME Development in the Context of Economic Integration ERIT & NUOL $19,230 3 An emerging flowers and decorative plants trade and its potential role in agribusiness and socioeconomic development in Lao PDR CMU & NUOL $20,000 4 The Role of Human Capital on Participation in Regional Production Networks: An Empirical Analysis of Manufacturing Enterprises in Laos ANU, NERI, MoIC FTPD $26,250 TOTAL $88,580

Other 3 proposals The other 3 proposals were not qualified or met the requirement. Those dis-qualified proposals are:

Comments on the 4 proposals selected for PEC to consider funding All of the four proposals have important and relevant topics. Each is expected to generate new and useful policy-oriented knowledge applicable to Lao PDR’s existing needs in policy area dealing with trade related economic issues. Each, however, requires some changes needed to increase value added (add relevant and important areas/factors associated with the subject not mentioned in the proposal) and thoroughness of the subject. These changes will be discussed in details between a representative of each approved research proposal and ERIT, with the assistance of project’s research advisor, prior to initiating research activities.

Q & A Thank You