Lao engineers not benefiting from the building boom
Lao engineers not benefiting from the building boom
Lao engineers are struggling to source work even despite the inflow of foreign investments into the country.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment reported that over the last 11 months of the 2014-15 fiscal year, some 1,589 projects were carried out in Laos with a total value of US$2,899 million.
This will help to drive construction and development however Lao engineers are still not sharing in the boom to the extent to which they could.
Director of SC Design and Construction, Ms Vidaly Chanthaphasouk explained that most of the fore ign investors who launch projects in Laos seek engineering services from their own countries for design and construction work.
This will not help Lao engineers to access benefits from foreign investors, which demonstrates the need for the government to issue forward policies aiming to protect Lao engineers.
For example, the regulations should encourage foreign investors to employ more Lao engineers or at least see more cooperation between both Lao and project owners' engineers.
Some regulations should be stricter to encourage investors to adhere strictly to Lao law such as giving the chance for Lao engineers to be employed as part of every project.
At present, Lao engineers are improving and have increased their cooperation with foreign engineers, so it is believed that Lao engineers can respond to foreign investors' design needs.
There are several design companies and construction companies looking for cooperation with overseas companies to expand their opportunities.
Lao companies have also provided their partners with consultation exchanges among foreign investors seeking to do business in Laos, which will make more design and construction opportunities available.
However, Ms Vidaly pointed that the Asean Economic Community will have more engineers among its members who will also be seeking work opportunities in Laos.
It is necessary that Lao engineers improve their knowledge on technology, English, and laws for investment outside of the country if they wish to compete with foreign engineers.
