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Characterizing private investments and implications for poverty reduction and natural resource management in Laos
Author(s) -
Keovilignavong Oulavanh,
Suhardiman Diana
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
development policy review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.671
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1467-7679
pISSN - 0950-6764
DOI - 10.1111/dpr.12302
Subject(s) - investment (military) , incentive , livelihood , private sector , government (linguistics) , poverty , natural resource , economics , public economics , resource (disambiguation) , business , development economics , economic growth , market economy , geography , political science , politics , agriculture , computer network , linguistics , archaeology , computer science , law , philosophy
Abstract We examine the patterns and characteristics of private investment in Laos, and how these evolve in relation to the Lao government's investment incentive policies in particular, and the wider State policies in general. Our goals are to: (1) systematically describe and analyze the patterns and characteristics of private investment in the country, and (2) analyze investment outcomes in terms of economic growth, poverty reduction and livelihoods. We argue that while private investments in the resource sector have contributed to economic growth, they have also negatively impacted local resources and communities. From a policy perspective, we highlight the need to examine the actual significance of policy incentives provided by the Lao government, especially with regard to its ability to direct investment decisions, in terms of both geography and sector.