URL: http://www.undplao.org/Fact%20Sheet/Governance/ICT.pdf

Contact Person(s): Keonakhone Saysouliane, NPM keonakhone@stea.gov.la

Project Period: May 2004 - December 2005

Partner(s): Science, Technology and Environment Agency (STEA)

The project consists of two components:

1. Strengthening the government’s strategic framework for ICT policy development through cooperation with APDIP. This policy would be the foundation for formulation and implementation of strategic and action plans in Lao PDR over the next 2 -year period. In the immediate future , the Lao PDR ICT project would provide STEA additional financial and technical resources to help develop, finalize and disseminate the national ICT Policy, effectively supplementing APDIP's contribution.
2. Improving the utilization of the Lao language for electronic communication through the development of a standard Lao Character Set. The project would provide initial assistance to STEA in formulating and implementing standards for entering, storing, and processing digital Lao interchange. Standardized use and application of Lao language in digital data exchange will improve the utilization of ICT in th e country, enhance public sector performance and bring the Lao language to the Internet.

Achievements

• Submitted the finalized national ICT Policy to the Prime Minister's Office for approval.
• First brainstorming workshop on software and content localization standards held with broad participation from public and private sector bringing together users, developers and language experts to discuss the needs and possibilities for setting up a "Lao Digital Information Exchange Network" that would coordinate the development of national ICT standards and act as a resource center local software and content development.