The worl Bank (WB) is helping to boots the estalishment and growth of small business in Laos in order to contribute to socio-economic develop-ment.

A trianing course on starting you business and business plans development was held in vientiane for 38 trainees slected by the WB

After the WB opened a business proposal cometition from December 8 last year to March 7 this year, some 212 applications ware entered in the contest, said national pro-ject coordinator Ms philai-phone Vongpraseuth.

"we selected only 78 pro-poseals (or 110 people) to join the programme, through which they will learn about business skill," she said, adding that the best trainees will selected for the second rounf of the contest in the June this year. the winner will recive US$ 5,000 of prize money to invest in their future business.

"We have divided the applicant in to four group for training. This first Training course will run untill April 8, the second from April 4-13, the third will be held in Luangprabang province from April 25-May 7 and the fourth in Champasack province from May 5-20," said Ms philaiphone.

After completing the training course, articipant will have two weeks to submit a business plan report to the WB and the Lao-India Entrepreneurship Development Center for assessment.

The project is run this way so that we can improve trainees' basic business,'' she said.

"If we cut the best proposals without provding training it may not bring benefits in human resourseces development."

The trainees will become good sources of labor and business development in the future, Ms philaiphone said. The Lao-India Entrepreneurship Development Center is partnering with the project to provide training for participants.

The project provides and important opportunity for new businesspeople, staff and student to learn essential business skill, said Department of Higher Education Deputy Director Mr seng Xiongchinou.

In the past, the WB has provided cooperation and assistance to develop human resources and business skills in Laos.

This assistance has helped technical staff and improve their knowledge and skills in business matters, said Mr seng.

The Worl Bank is continuing to assist the country, he added.

The project also invoes the Young Entrepreneur’s Association and the Ministry of Education.