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Joint efforts on environmental issues

Laos
Green cities
31.05.2022
To begin collaborative efforts on environmental issues in the service sector, the Waste to Value Project (W2V) implemented under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and the Lao Hotel and Restaurant Association (LHRA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement on May 27, 2022. 

Mr. Pakasith Chanthapanya, President of LHRA, and Mr. Michael Fink, Country Director of Swisscontact in Lao PDR co-chaired the meeting at the Chanthapunya Hotel in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. The meeting was attended by 17 people, including representatives from the Department of Environment of MoNRE, LHRA, and the Swisscontact team.

LHRA is a hotel and restaurant business association founded in 1999. Its role is to bring together Lao hotels and restaurants for joint activities in accordance with government guidelines, laws, and policies on tourism, hotel, and restaurant services, as well as to advise on the conceptualization of policies and mandates that encourage and support activities overseen by the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Under the supervision of the National Tourism Organization, it was elevated to the status of an association in 2003. LHRA is registered since 2014 in accordance with Resolution 115/PMO.

Mr. Pakasith Chathapanya (left) and Mr. Michael Fink

The Waste to Value project aims to support service sector SMEs focusing on hotels, restaurants, cafes, and mini-marts in reducing operational costs and matching customer expectations for sustainable consumption and production, as well as informal waste pickers in increasing their income through a safer work environment and improved business performance.

The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement strengthens the partnership between the two organizations, which have previously collaborated on tourism and hospitality projects.

Laos
Green cities
Waste to Value
Swisscontact's Waste to Value project strengthens the environmental performance in service sector SMEs (hotels, restaurants, cafés and mini-marts) by improving their waste management practices and access to green products. The project further strengthens business operations and improves workplace safety for informal waste pickers increasing their income and quality of livelihood. This is complemented with awareness raising among service sector SMEs and the wider population along with encouraging public-private consultation meetings in the Lao PDR in line with national and municipal government strategies.
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