The B-Strong Program: A New Initiative to Support MSME Entrepreneurs in Laos.

The B-Strong program is one small piece of MSME A2F-ESR Project which supported by the World Bank (WB). The program was developed in collaboration between Department of SME Promotion, Ministry of Industry and Commerce as the executing and implementing agency of the Project and Katalyst Partners, both parties signed the contract of service on May 22, 2023. The B-Strong purpose is to strengthen the skills and abilities for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Laos to grow and adapt their businesses to the changing conditions of the current economy along with sustainable development.

The B-Strong program will run for three months (September – December 2023), with one workshop every two weeks which consists of 6 modules which are (1) “Growing Your Business”, (2) “Growing your customer base”, (3) “E-commerce opportunities”, (4) Opportunities for innovation”, (5) Financial and Cashflow management”, (6) “The people challenge”. The 1st workshop was conducted on September 11, 2023 at the Grand Vientiane Hotel.

The workshop was attended by 25 MSME entrepreneurs were selected by DOSMEP and Katalyst, from different sectors, such as agriculture, handicrafts, tourism, and education. This workshop is a continuous training which will take about 03 months to complete. The seminars are designed to be interactive and practical, allowing the participants to exchange techniques, experiences and solutions system for their businesses by using a business model canvas to analyze and improve every aspect of their business; Creating plan to increase sales and customers using the 10/10/10 plan.

We hope to reach more MSME entrepreneurs in Laos who are interested in joining B-Strong for the second batch of the training program.

For more information:

– Tel: 020 52 917 029

– Email: info@katalyst-partners.com