USAID developed a plan to improve Laos' infrastructure by building roads, improving airports, and constructing a railway system. The $25 billion project would create jobs and boost trade over 15 years. Improving transportation could increase development, economic opportunities, and access to healthcare in one of Asia's poorest countries. Regular evaluations will assess the project's success in transforming Laos.

1. CHAINS OF HOPE
BUILDING AN INFRASTRUCTURE OUT OF IRON AND CONCRETE
Alyssa Lester, Renee Salem, Sierra Loya, MiryamZakaria
7th Period

2. Who We “The U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) is an independent
Are agency that provides economic, development
and humanitarian assistance around the
world in support of the foreign policy goals
of the United States.”
USAid decided to undergo further relations
with Laos after it was reported one of the
poorest countries in Asia in 2009. Thus, the
plan to build a stronger infrastructure was
initially developed.

3. A QUICK PEEK
GEOGRAPHY
Laos- (Lao People's Democratic Republic) is a landlocked country in
Southeast Asia. It borders Cambodia, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and
Myanmar (Burma). Like many of its bordering countries it has a tropical
climate.
• The Capital of Laos is Vientiane
• The highest mountain in PhouBia, which is located in the
Xiangkhouang Province. It stands at 2818 meters, or 9,249 feet.
• The Major River in Laos is The Makong River. This river is the main
waterway of Laos, and connects Laos to it's neighboring countries.
Laos gets approximately 1,700mm of rain annually. Its rainy season
lasts from early May till Late September. Lao, like many of its
surrounding Asian countries is prone to Monsoons.
• The main resources of Laos are clothing, timber, coffee, gold, copper &
electricity.

4. HISTORY & CULTURE • Laos has struggled throughout the past two
centuries with having a steady government.
• It has been ruled by multiple countries,
including the French, Vietnamese, and the
Soviets.
• Domestic violence and war with Vietnam
(allied with Thailand) dominated most of the
20th century.
• It wasn’t until 1991 when Laos created its
own Constitution.
• Currently, the country is split politically
between democracy and communism
• The people of Laos speak Lao, the official
language, French, and English.
• Over half of the population is Buddhist.
• There are approximately 6.5 million people
in Laos.
• Laotians celebrate many holidays that are
Buddhist, International, and National.

5. ECONOMICS • Laos is considered one of the
poorest countries in the Asia.
• Its major industries include
mining, garment making, and
agricultural production.
• Most citizens live off of
subsistence farming.
GDP Per Capita: $2,400
Inflation Rate: 6.2%
Unemployment Rate:
2.2%
GINI Coefficient: 36.7

6. The Nam Theun 2 Project began in
HUMANITARIAN
2008 after a flood covered multiple roads in
Laos. It’s goal is to eliminate the water by
building a watershed so that civilians can once
again travel.
• The Department of Roads of Ministry has
developed a plan to create national roads.
International communities will help by funding
the mobilization of the projected roads.
• Some projects still under construction include:
• Road No. 2W- 91%,
• Road No. 15B- 49%,
• Mekong river bridge- 40%,
• Road No. 2E -31%,

7. THE ISSUE
Laos lacks proper infrastructure
Out of the 41 airports, only 9 have paved roads.
Only 3 km of railway has been constructed (Dongposy-Thanalang
It is one of the only countries in the world that does not have a major railway
system connecting it to other countries.
The foreign and domestic trade in Laos is at a
minimum.

8. OUR
PLAN
• The main plan is to build Laos' transportation systems:
o Fully paved roads
o Pavements for airports
o Railway systems
• To achieve this plan Laos will need:
o Labor, which will be provided by the citizens of Laos
o Supplies, which will be donated by USAid
o A contract with Vietnam and China, for the railway
system from Phongsali, Laos to Vietnam to Hong
Kong, China.

9. FURTHER
Details
• Estimated Project Cost: $25 Billion
• Estimated Time: 15 years
• There will be a development staff run by USAid called the
Laotian Developmental Transportation Unit (LDTU) that will
check on the progress and success of the project every two
years until the ten years are completed.
• At the end of the ten years, the LDTU will evaluate the project
as a whole and determine whether or not the project was a
success.

10. BENE
Jobs for construction
Create many modes of
transportation
Help boost health, because people
can get to hospitals faster
FITS • Will boost foreign
market
• Will help domestic
trade
• Increase overall GDP

11. FOR WHAT
IT’S WORTH
Overall, Laos' infrastructure will increase if these modes of transportation are
improved. People will be more interested in trading and visiting Laos, which has
always been a more unwelcoming place to visitors due to unfriendly traveling
conditions. By building roads, improving runways, and adding railroads, new doors
can be opened. New opportunities can be brought to the people of
Laos, opportunities that they would of never had before. The lures of the beautiful
forests and environment could make Laos a great place for ecotourism. Vientiane
could rejoice in the splendor it once had many years ago as it grows into an Asian hot
spot. Plus, people would have more access to the amenities that Laos has to offer to
the world, such as gold, electricity; the possibilities are endless.

12. Works Cited
"Laos: How the Nam Theun 2 Dam Is Managed during Flood Events | Making Development Work for All." Web. 12 Dec.
2011. <http://blogs.worldbank.org/eastasiapacific/node/2960>
"Lao People’s Democratic Republic Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity." Web. 12 Dec. 2011.
<http://www.undplao.org/official%20docs/2011/Abridged%20version_14_Oct_2010_NSEDP%20VII_combined%20_Eng_P
DF.pdf>.
Oraboune, Syviengxay. "Infrastructure (Rural Road) Development and Poverty Alleviation in Lao PD." Apr. 2008. Web. 12
Dec. 2011. <http://ir.ide.go.jp/dspace/bitstream/2344/747/3/ARRIDE_Discussion_No.151_orabone.pdf>.