This event will strengthen the capacity of maize traders in Lao PDR to improve their ability to do business, by putting them in contact with firms with operations in Lao PDR who buy maize for the animal feed business within the country or ASEAN region.

In this event, co-organized by UNCTAD and the Department of Trade Promotion of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR, maize traders will meet with potential buyers in order to improve their capacity to assess market prospects, identify market opportunities and overcome market barriers such as quality issues. This will also support their prospects of better integrating into regional and global value chains in the future.

As indicated by the national study elaborated by the Project on the maize value chain for export in Lao PDR, a large share of maize is exported to the neighboring countries of China, Thailand and Vietnam. As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, which has affected logistics and trade across the region, Lao maize traders could benefit from increasing sales domestically, including to firms producing animal feed, which have high quality standards. By learning more and meeting such quality standards, Lao maize traders could also foster their capacity to better integrate into regional markets post-pandemic, supporting the transformation of the sector towards resilient food systems through strengthening value chains and market access.