The official opening ceremony of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion and Development Office (SMEPDO) was held at 16.00 hrs of 7th April 2006 at SMEPDO, Ministry of Industry and Handicraft. The honorable guests included H. E. Mr. Onneua PHOMMACHANH, Minister of Industry and Handicraft, the Chairman of Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion and Development Committee (SMEPDC) and Mrs. Esther Weiss, Charge’ d’ Affaires a. i., the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Lao PDR; members of SMEPDC, guests from various Government ministries and organizations, international organizations and business sectors.

At the ceremony, Mr. Somdy INMYXAI, Director General of SMEPDO briefly reported the background on establishment of SMEPDO, especially the renovation of the office building with funding support from the Government of Federal Republic of Germany.

H. E. Mr. Onneua PHOMMACHANH, Minister of Industry and Handicraft, the Chairman of SMEPDC made a remark. He emphasized the importance of SMEs in the national economy and efforts of the Government in helping those SMEs. In addition, on behalf of the Government of Lao PDR, Mr. Onneua PHOMMACHANH expressed his gratitude and appreciation to friendly countries and international organizations for their continued support and assistance towards SME development in the Lao PDR. He also urged all parties concerned to cooperate and make their utmost efforts in realizing the Government policies on the promotion and development of SMEs in the country.

On this auspicious occasion, H. E. Mr. Onneua PHOMMACHANH and Mrs. Esther Weiss jointly cut ribbon to officially open the Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion and Development Office. After the ceremony, invited guests explored the Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion and Development Office, and participated in ceremonial dinner at Don Chan Palace Hotel.