Lao Plantation Policy: Prospects for Change

Policies to promote tree plantations in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic have been developed since independence support national socio-economic and environmental goals, response domestic international markets. The effectiveness of these policies has variable, resulting plantation wood value chains are poorly due contradictory confusing laws regulations with inconsistent application high transaction costs. Consequently, there limited investment, few investments realized anticipated benefits. Renewed interest from government, investors other sectors Laos prompted policy reviews recognition need for new settings. We reviewed development assessed barriers options. Through document analysis, interviews key stakeholders actors, stakeholder forums, field research, we found that smarter regulation, facilitating value-chain partnerships knowledge sharing, can motivate smallholders industry plantations, increase community-level benefits financial returns Government private sector. These results discussed context current developments convergence related processes Laos.