Problems relating to Trade and Investment on Laos

 
24. Indigested legislation, abrupt changes
Issue
Issue details
Requests
Reference
(1) Incompatible, Disunified Legislative Scheme and Procedures - There has been no window provided for consulting the issues over contradiction among legislative provisions and diversity in their interpretation and implementation. - It is requested that GOL takes initiatives in expressly identifying the Substantive Procedures and improving the Existing Procedures (in regard to: cutdown in time, simplification and increased transparency) at all offices in concern, starting from investment promotion department (IPD), prefectural planned investment office, ministry of industries and commerce (MIC) / prefectural MIC offices. - Investment Promotion Department Law, Article 44, One Stop Service (OSS)
  (Action)
- In October 2010, one stop service was opened by investment promotion department of ministry of planning and investment.
(2) Nebulous Systems related to Afforestation - Due to the nebulous scheme concerning lease of afforestation land, afforestation, logging and export, in practical terms, all governmental supervisory agencies that are deemed to have some relation, individually conduct the same sort of examination procedures. This takes much time and cost.
While "one stop service" has been set in place, in practice, it does no function, at all.
- A Member Firm's Subsidiary (MFS) was forced to follow the administrative procedures in transport of afforestation trees, comparable to transport of natural trees. While the requisite documents seem to have similar contents, separate set of documents must be prepared for each agency (forestry commission, bureau of commerce and industries, bureau of taxation, etc.), taking time and cost far above the estimate.
- It is requested that GOL constructs an efficient and clear system by clarifying its purpose.
- It is requested that GOL sets in place so-called one stop service.
- It is requested that GOL controls separately natural trees and a forestation trees in principle. The sharing of common documentary forms (so-called one stop service) is one of the ideas required.
- The Land Act
- Forest Act
- Tariff Act
- Related President Decree, and Premier Decree
- Premier's Notification on "Export of Afforestation Trees and Sawed Woods" of 12 February 2010, etc.
- MAF Minister's Notification on Related Issues, etc.

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