The purpose of this research is to review the relationship between central
government, local governments and rural peoples in Lao PDR. Lao PDR has
introduced the market economy since 1986 and has joined in regional integration
such as ASEAN. With the purpose of accelerating economic development, Lao
PDR started decentralization policies in 1998 to delegate more rights to
entitle forestry lands to the local government. However, the growth of
foreign investments in agriculture and forestry have affected the livelihood
of local peoples, many of them ethnic minorities who have been engaged
in slash-and-burn agriculture.
This research will highlight the changes of land and forestry policies
of Lao PDR since 1975 to the present, and its impacts on the central-local
relationship by focusing on the role of the local government in regulating
foreign investments to promote the livelihoods of local peoples, especially
ethnic minorities.
