Methodologies and approaches

Focusing on existing social protection programs and systems and making in-depth policy discussions on reforming them contribute to avoiding the creation of ad hoc programs and arrangements or introducing reforms without having in place a solid institutional setup for its implementation. Alignment with the relevant national strategies ensures the government's strong ownership of prior actions and outcomes. Consideration of these two key lessons will strengthen the design and implementation of future similar programs.

Urban–rural disparity in training outcomes can be wide, partly because of unequal access to industries and the wage labor market. The national apprenticeship scheme and industrial training institutes are closely linked with employers; the scheme has resulted in impressive employment rates. Skills training providers who cater to rural areas have the greatest challenge in creating jobs. Disadvantaged social groups are normally less involved in skills training.

Stakeholder expectations and reliance on concessional financing have a negative effect on the market upon completion of the project. Until the loan is fully used up, the market seldom finds innovative methods to improve viability without such concessional conditions. Therefore, by design, the project shall encourage the market to evolve and innovate to sustain without any concessional financing.

Despite the market already being available to cater to the project, the TA intervention resulted in a much smoother implementation that may have been difficult without a TA. Such TA components could improve project effectiveness and the good practices introduced would better the overall market. Thus, similar TA projects are encouraged for greenfield projects of this nature.

implementation anchored in a national law. Some output targets—building technical skills and institutional capacity, engaging with SME participants, facilitating the adoption of new processes, and institutionalizing the changes—required a longer time for effective implementation.

Realistic timelines are essential, given government agency capacities and the institutional, policy, and behavioral changes required. Introducing new regulatory frameworks required a sequential building-block approach, from diagnostics to pilot implementation, expansion of pilots, and national

The PSME2 demonstrated the critical role that TA plays in supporting policy, planning, awareness raising, change processes, training, and skills, and in institutionalizing SME reforms. Furthermore, using post-program partnership framework (P3F) support is important in facilitating ongoing SME reform and institutionalizing SME processes.

As the government continues the reform program with assistance from other development partners and the private sector, detailed ongoing assessments of government budget commitments and financing needs, and capacity development are required, with related work plans. This support needs to include working with the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a key partner, expanding the SME Service Centers and outreach, and enhancing access to finance. It will also require government decisions on legal, regulatory, and financial aspects, to fully operationalize an e-commerce platform.

implementation of environmental and social management system, capacity building and skills training, gender mainstreaming, and additional funding support for small businesses. In addition to strengthening the capacity of the PFIs to lend to small businesses, capacity building can also help prepare PFIs without previous experience working with IFIs for future partnerships with international agencies.

The experience and knowledge gained by the PFIs—especially Davr Bank and the UzbekLeasing International A.O., which subsequently attracted other development partners—added value to the project. The areas that were particularly beneficial across the PFIs were project analysis, formulation, and