Property Rights and Land Titling Project, Lao PDR

All involved on the Lao project continue to be kept on their toes as a number of strategic initiatives are developed within the Lao government that could have an impact on a number of project activities. The creation of the National Land Management Agency’s clearly back on the government agenda. This is creating some uncertainty for staff of the Department of Lands as decisions are made on the composition and tasks of the new agency.

A supervision mission planned for early November was cancelled at short notice due to a proposed major structuring of a number of ministries including the Ministry of Finance. While the mission would have allowed a number of key issues to be addressed, November was a very busy month for the submission of key project documents to AusAID and the cancellation of the mission did at least give Steve some much need time to work on those documents.

It is very pleasing to see the continuing success of the Technical Coordinating Committee with the 6th meeting being held in October. This committee has become one of the key drivers for project coordination and dissemination of information to all key project partners and specifically provincial management.

Provided by Chris Lunnay