ID :
58866
Mon, 05/04/2009 - 17:44
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/58866
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Australia partners with Laos businesses to reduce rural poverty
Australia partners with Laos businesses to reduce rural poverty
(KPL) Australia will provide a total of A$800,000 to two Laos businesses for projects that will improve the livelihoods of thousands of rural Laotians.
Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, announced the grants to Sunlabob and Teamworkz today, during his three day trip to Laos.
According to the source from Australian Embassy in Vientiane, funding will be provided through Australia’s Enterprise Challenge Fund, a A$20.5 million initiative that supports poverty alleviation through private sector development.
Energy provider Sunlabob will receive a grant of A$526,682, matched by funding from its own resources, to support the installation of electricity grids in five remote villages.
“Australia’s support will enable the provision of access to electricity for 4500 people in 650 households,” Mr McMullan said.
“Reliable electricity will have tremendous benefits for local communities including increased agricultural production and greater access to income generating opportunities. Better access to light is also expected to improve educational opportunities.”
Teamworkz will receive a grant of A$227,030, also matched from its own resources, for the expansion of its online accommodation and tour sales websites to Luang Namtha, Champasak and Xieng Khuane provinces. Teamworkz currently provides these services in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng.
“Australia’s support will help to make travel and sightseeing in rural Laos far more accessible to international and local travellers,” Mr McMullan said.
“This is expected to generate increased tourism, business and income opportunities for Laotians in these rural and remote areas.” Announcing the grants during his visit to Laos, Mr McMullan stressed the potential of the private sector’s contribution to rural poverty alleviation through investments that promote economic development, expand service provision and provide livelihood opportunities.
“Sustainable poverty alleviation in rural areas depends on the growth of a competitive, service-oriented private sector,” Mr McMullan said.
“The Australian Government is creating incentives for the private sector to enter new and risky markets in rural and remote areas, increasing rural incomes, creating new jobs and providing important services.”
Open to all firms, the Enterprise Challenge Fund is competitive and promotes private sector investment in initiatives that extend services or provide employment and other benefits to poor communities and have good prospects of becoming self-sustaining over time. Grants of between A$100,000 and A$1.5 million are available to businesses that are prepared to at least match Australia’s grant.
To date, the Fund has awarded more than A$6.5 million to 12 projects in Cambodia, Fiji, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Southern Philippines and
Vanuatu.
(KPL) Australia will provide a total of A$800,000 to two Laos businesses for projects that will improve the livelihoods of thousands of rural Laotians.
Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, announced the grants to Sunlabob and Teamworkz today, during his three day trip to Laos.
According to the source from Australian Embassy in Vientiane, funding will be provided through Australia’s Enterprise Challenge Fund, a A$20.5 million initiative that supports poverty alleviation through private sector development.
Energy provider Sunlabob will receive a grant of A$526,682, matched by funding from its own resources, to support the installation of electricity grids in five remote villages.
“Australia’s support will enable the provision of access to electricity for 4500 people in 650 households,” Mr McMullan said.
“Reliable electricity will have tremendous benefits for local communities including increased agricultural production and greater access to income generating opportunities. Better access to light is also expected to improve educational opportunities.”
Teamworkz will receive a grant of A$227,030, also matched from its own resources, for the expansion of its online accommodation and tour sales websites to Luang Namtha, Champasak and Xieng Khuane provinces. Teamworkz currently provides these services in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng.
“Australia’s support will help to make travel and sightseeing in rural Laos far more accessible to international and local travellers,” Mr McMullan said.
“This is expected to generate increased tourism, business and income opportunities for Laotians in these rural and remote areas.” Announcing the grants during his visit to Laos, Mr McMullan stressed the potential of the private sector’s contribution to rural poverty alleviation through investments that promote economic development, expand service provision and provide livelihood opportunities.
“Sustainable poverty alleviation in rural areas depends on the growth of a competitive, service-oriented private sector,” Mr McMullan said.
“The Australian Government is creating incentives for the private sector to enter new and risky markets in rural and remote areas, increasing rural incomes, creating new jobs and providing important services.”
Open to all firms, the Enterprise Challenge Fund is competitive and promotes private sector investment in initiatives that extend services or provide employment and other benefits to poor communities and have good prospects of becoming self-sustaining over time. Grants of between A$100,000 and A$1.5 million are available to businesses that are prepared to at least match Australia’s grant.
To date, the Fund has awarded more than A$6.5 million to 12 projects in Cambodia, Fiji, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Southern Philippines and
Vanuatu.
