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MAKE LEGAL ARRANGEMENT, LAWS, LEGISLATIONS AND REGULATIONS

    • Priority Sector

    • Information & Communication Technology

    • Duration

    • 2016/12/01 - 2019/01/31

    • Call Number

    • MKCF CALL 1

MAKE LEGAL ARRANGEMENT, LAWS, LEGISLATIONS AND REGULATIONS

Country of Implementation

  • Lao PDR

Project Description

In remote areas of Lao PDR, reliance on traditional paper-based methods for accessing laws and regulations created inefficiencies and increased the risk of outdated information, leading to misunderstandings among the public and local governments. The implementation of electronic databases was essential for building a law-based government, enhancing transparency, and promoting widespread access to current legal information. The project not only focused on technical infrastructure but also emphasized knowledge transfer and system management. Through targeted training, local government officials gained the skills needed to independently manage regulatory data. This initiative aligned with the development goals of both the Lao government and the MKCF, playing a vital role in capacity-building efforts for e-government.

Our Core Objectives

1

To increase the availability of information on laws and regulations in the areas of commerce and industry by developing a database, and to improve access to legal data for district offices in poor or underserved areas.

Activities / Components

1

Expert Recruitment

Assemble specialized teams to provide technical guidance and implementation support.

2

Documentation Preparation

Convert regulations into web-compatible formats to enhance accessibility.

3

Technology Distribution

Supply 45 computer systems with internet connectivity to underserved commercial offices nationwide.

4

Knowledge Transfer

Facilitate international expertise sharing from South Korea and Viet Nam through professional development sessions.

5

Progress Monitoring

Conduct semi- annual evaluation meetings to assess project progress and effectiveness.

Results Achieved

  • The project made remarkable progress in technology development, the integration of regulatory content, and organizational collaboration, laying a solid foundation for achieving its ultimate goal. The next phase focused on data promotion, human resource training, and system optimization to enhance the practical use and societal impact of the platform.
  • The Ministry of Industry and Commerce’s legal database website (law.moic.gov.la) was developed and officially launched on December 25, 2018. The site serves as a crucial platform for both the public and government institutions to access laws and regulations online, marking the successful achievement of the project’s primary objective.
  • A wide range of legal documents—including laws, decisions, notifications, and application forms related to the industry and commerce sector—was collected and organized. These documents were also translated into English to improve accessibility for foreign investors and international partners.
  • The initial design of the website’s user interface was completed, along with the selection of appropriate technologies for the database system and the finalization of the system’s technical specifications, laying the groundwork for full-scale implementation.
  • At least 12 coordination meetings were held with various departments under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. These engagements facilitated the joint collection and verification of regulatory data, ensuring the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the database.

Successful Factors/ Strategies

  • The goals and phased outputs—such as database development, regulation translation, publicity, and training—were clearly defined at each stage to ensure task controllability.
  • A mechanism for multi-party participation and cross-departmental cooperation was established through regular consultations with various departments of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, ensuring the completeness of regulation collection and securing policy support.
  • By combining local and international consultants, the project not only introduced international IT experts to enhance the system's technical professionalism but also engaged local consultants to ensure the localization of language and regulatory content.
  • The sustainability of the system was emphasized by integrating personnel training into the project design, enabling local officials to maintain the system in the future and reduce operating costs.
  • External financial resources were effectively utilized, and MKCF funds were allocated strategically in phases to secure the necessary resources for the project.

Future Strategies and Plans

    This platform could further evolve toward multi-language support, mobile adaptation, and interactive functions—such as regulation inquiries and legal Q&A—and achieve interconnection with enterprise registration systems, government procurement systems, and other digital services to help build a broader e-government ecosystem.
  • Furthermore, by continuously expanding content, enhancing user engagement through features like feedback mechanisms, and ensuring regular maintenance and updates, the platform’s sustainability would be significantly strengthened.
  • The project also demonstrated model replicability, enabling similar practices to be promoted across other government departments and contributing to the overall advancement of digital governance in Lao PDR.