Chamber workshop provides lessons for coffee, tea and rice businesses

The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and the International Trade Centre (a United Nations agency) jointly hosted an awareness workshop on Wednesday on Voluntary Sustainable Standards (VSS) Tool & Project Approach. The workshop took place at the LNCCI in Vientiane. Co-chairing the workshop were Deputy General Secretary of the LNCCI, Ms Souphone Khamsannam; Trade For Sustainable Development (T4SD) Hub Laos Lead, Ms Niddavone Douangphonexay; and VSS Lead Coach Mr Thavisith Bounyasouk.

The main aim of the workshop was to introduce T4SD Hub Laos services designed for Lao SMEs and the sustainability map, introduce the VSS module and scope of training programmes for selected SMEs and exclusive opportunities for participating SMEs to fill in an application form for the selection of project beneficiaries to participate in the Voluntary Sustainable Standards training programme. Another highlight was a discussion on what kind of support and benefits there were for the companies participating in the VSS module of the T4SD hub Laos. All companies participating in the module will receive free individual coaching from experts in the field of sustainability standards (Fairtrade, organic etc.) on the following topics: Complying with sustainability criteria of standards and analysis of gaps; Addressing critical environmental and social issues in production; Going through the certification and audit process; Breakeven financial analysis to understand the costs and benefits of certification against sustainability standards which will help to explain whether it is beneficial for companies to start a certification process. Coaches will also work on developing sustainability strategies for companies.

Information source: Vientiane Times.