The 41st Southeast Asia Seminar
“Economic Development in Laos and the Greater Mekong Region”
2-7 November 2017 Vientiane, Laos
Application Closed

Organized by
the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University and
Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, National University of Laos
in cooperation with Japan Agency for International Cooperation

2-7 November 2017
Vientiane, Laos

The countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region have experienced dynamic economic development in the recent years. Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos share several common economic development strategies, such as promotion of the agricultural sector, industrialization with foreign technology, as well as management of exports in the natural resources sector. This economic growth trajectory is accompanied by drastic changes in traditional social structures in both urban and rural areas, and poses urgent challenges to ecological sustainability. At the same time, factors of geopolitics over connectivity and transportation infrastructure are also vital issues in the development of the region.

Through five sessions
Session 1: Key Industries for Economic Development
Session 2: Rising Agendas on Human Capital: Child Labor, and Medics
Session 3: Hydropower and Mining Sector
Session 4: Infrastructure and Development Cooperation
Session 5: Land, Forestry, and Development
Excursion 1: Microfinance Association and Field site on Microfinance
Excursion 2: VITA Park Special Economic Zone

the seminar will examine the history, mechanisms and future challenges of the region’s economic development and improvement of life for the people of the region. Lectures and group discussions will be supplemented with field observations in the Vientiane area.

Held in Vientiane in collaboration with the National University of Laos, we will focus our discussions on Laos, while maintaining a regional perspective on the dynamics of economic development challenges faced by the country and its neighbors.

Program (updated at 25 October)

DAY 1 2nd, Thur. November:
Arriving in Vientiane

20:00-22:00 Welcome Party at the Vientiane Plaza

DAY 2 3rd, Fri.,:
7:40 Depart Hotel

8:30 – 9:00 Registration

9:00 – 10:00 Preliminary Session
Chair: Dr. Hisashi Shimojo (CSEAS)

• Welcome Address from CSEAS, Kyoto University
  Dr. Fumiharu Mieno (CSEAS, seminar committee chair)
• Welcome Address from FEB, National University of Laos
  Dr. Phetsamone Phonmmavong, (Acting Dean, FEB, NUOL)
• Keynote Speech
  Mr. Yasushi Negishi, Country Director, Lao PDR Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank
  “The Lao PDR Economy and ADB’s Operations”

10:00- 10:20 Coffee Break

10:20 – 11:30 Orientation Session

• Orientation
• Self-Introduction Session (Grouping for Group work)

11:30 – 13:00 Lunch

13:00 – 14:30 Session 1: Key Industries for Economic Development
Chair: Dr. Alay Phonvisay (FEB)

• Dr. Vixathep Souksavanh (University of Hyogo)
  “Industrialization in CLMV: The Garment Industry in Export-Oriented Manufacturing”
• Mr. Hing Vutha (Cambodian Development Resource Institute)
  “Leveraging regional economic cooperation and integration for sustainable development–the case of CLMV”
• Question & Discussion

14:30- 15:00 Break and Discussion by Group

15:00 – 16:00 Moving to Microfinance Association

16:00 – 17:30 Excursion 1: Microfinance Association and Field site on Microfinance

17:30 Moving to the restaurant

18:30 Welcome Dinner

DAY 3 4th, Sat., :
7:50 Depart Hotel

9:00 – 9:10 Welcome Address, Dr. Yasuyuki Kono (Dean, CSEAS, Kyoto University)
(Chair: Dr. Ryota Sakamoto, CSEAS)

9:10 -11:15 Session 2: Rising Agendas on Human Capital: Child Labor, and Medics.
Chair: Dr. Ryota Sakamoto (CSEAS)

• Ms. Maiyer Xiong (Faculty of Agriculture, NOUL)
  “Labour Experiences, Child right and Gender Justice for Workers on Banana Plantations in Bokeo Province of Laos”
• Prof. Kovit Khampitak (Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University)
  “Medical Care “Smart Hospital””
• Dr. Kidapol Wadhanakul (Director CME,Thai Medical Council)
  “Community-based health care in the Great Mekong region”
• Question & Discussion

11:15 – 12:30 Lunch Box

12:30 – 14:35 Session 3: Hydropower and Mining Sector
Chair: Dr. Osamu Kozan (CSEAS)

• Mr. Min Zar Ni (Center for Social and Economic Development, Myanmar)
  “Extractive Industries governance in Myanmar”
• Dr. Phouphet Kyophilavong (FEB)
  “Impact of the Mining Sector on Lao Economy: CGE Model Approach”
• Dr. Phanhpakit Onphanhdala (Laos-Japan Institute, NUOL)
  “Hydropower Development and its Contribution to Government Revenue in Laos”
• Question & Discussion

14:35 – 15:00 Moving to VITA Special Economic Zone

15:00 – 16:30 Excursion 2: VITA Park Special Economic Zone

DAY 4 5th, Sun., :
8:20 Depart Hotel

9:30 -11:35 Session 4: Infrastructure and Development Cooperation
Chair: TBA (from FEB)

• Mr. Yoshiharu Yoneyama (Chief Representative, JICA Laos Office, Japan International Cooperation Agency)
  “Japan’s ODA on Infrastructure in Laos”
• Dr. Kwangmoon Kim (Graduate School of Management, Kyoto University)
  “Measurement of International Economic dependencies of China-Thai-Lao PDR based on the International Input-Output Table”

11:35 – 13:30 lunch

13:30– 15:40 Session 5: Land, Forestry, and Development
Chair: Dr. Miles Kenney-Lazar (CSEAS)

• Dr. Thoumthone Vongvisouk, (Faculty of Forestry, National University of Laos)
  “Falling rubber prices in northern Laos: Local responses and policy options”
• Dr. Jean-Christophe Diepart, (Mekong Region Land Governance Project)
  “Large Scale Agricultural Investments in the Mekong Region: An Update on Trajectories of Agrarian Change”
• Dr. SiuSue Mark, Visiting (Department of Political Science, Yangon University)
  “The Evolving Regulatory Environment for Land Investments in Myanmar: Limits & Possibilities”
• Question & Discussion

15:40 – 16:00 Coffee Break

16:00 – 16:30 Preparative Discussion by Group

DAY 5 6th, Mon., :
7:50 Depart Hotel

9:00 – 12:00 Group Work

(Another bus will leave Hotel at 11:50)

12:00 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 – 15:00 Group Presentation

15:00 – 15:20 Coffee Break

15:20 – 16:50 Group Presentation

16:50 – 17:15 Closing Session

DAY 6 7th, Tue., : Depart Vientiane