Background Location The hydropower and mining sectors are core drivers of growth for the Lao PDR economy, together accounting for over 21% of government revenue in 2013. While the development/ Nationwide investment in the hydropower and mining sectors is growing fast, one of the key challenges is that the government’s capacity to manage these two sectors are not developing at the same pace — there is a real need for stronger sector governance. The original project (approved in January 2010) was designed to help the government strengthen its ability to address key challenges in these sectors by putting in place laws, regulations, and management tools. Additional Financing was approved in 2014 to scale up and extend the impact of the institutional and human capacity development efforts that were Financiers supported under the original project. World Bank (International Development Association): $25.8 million Multi-Donor Trust Fund: $2.54 million Implementing Agency Ministry of Energy and Mines Approval Date January 12, 2010 About the Project Closing Date The project aims to increase human capacity and improve the performance of government September 30, 2019 oversight institutions for the hydropower and mining sectors. This is achieved through: • The Joint Hydropower and Mining Learning Program aims to strengthen critically needed capacity of the Ministry of Energy and Mines and its provincial departments, supporting educational institutions to improve the quality of skilled laborers in these two sectors, as well as facilitating the coordination and partnership between industry and educational institutions. • Hydropower Sector Development aims at capacity building in support of sustainable Contacts hydropower development in Lao PDR, by providing technical assistance to strengthen Mr. Takafumi Kadono legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks, developing and operationalizing tools and World Bank Task Leader management systems to enhance oversight capacity. • Mining Sector Development aims at capacity building to improve sector governance and the enabling environment and strengthening the oversight capacity of MEM in support of sustainable mining development. • Project Administration and Management supports consultancy services for the Project Secretariat to ensure effective and timely implementation of project activities. worldbank.org/lao Beneficiaries @WorldBankLaos The main project beneficiaries include government of Lao PDR personnel, especially from @WB_AsiaPacific the Ministry of Energy and Mines. Staff from other relevant line ministries, as well as teachers and students in selected education institutes will also benefit. The general public will benefit indirectly through improved governance of these sectors.