The Implications of Deregulation & Liberalization on the Logistics Service Industry in Lao PDR

This study analyses the development of the Lao freight logistics sector with a special focus on domestic demand for freight logistics services. Based on empirical data, the study focuses on two main dimensions of the Lao freight logistics sector: (i) the development of a private freight logistics sector since the formulation of the New Economic Mechanism (NEM) that progressively opened the Lao economy to the world; (ii) the Lao freight logistics sector’s awareness of opportunities and challenges arising from Lao PDR’s participation in ASEAN, GMS and hopefully the WTO in the near future. The first part of the paper seek to map the development over time and provide a report of the current status the Lao freight logistics sector with special reference to the transition to towards market
economy, whereas the second part will try to explore more long term
consequences on the freight logistics sector as a consequence of increased integration with international markets.