Laos Strengthens Provincial GDP Calculation Capacity with Training Workshop

The National Statistics Center has organized a training workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity for calculating provincial Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a fundamental statistical indicator for formulating socio-economic development plans, designing public policies, and allocating resources at the local level. The workshop was chaired by Ms. Phetsamone Sone, Director General of the National Statistics Center, and attended by officials from provincial finance departments and relevant agencies in Vientiane Capital, Huaphan, Xayaboury, and Vientiane provinces. Ms. Phetsamone emphasized that provincial GDP is a fundamental statistical indicator for formulating socio-economic development plans, designing public policies, and allocating resources at the local level. She noted that Laos is currently modernizing its national accounts system by updating the GDP base year from 2012 to 2025 and aligning its methodology with international standards, including the System of National Accounts (SNA) 2008 and the forthcoming SNA 2025. The reforms are intended to ensure consistency in data compilation and verification between central and provincial authorities. Despite recent progress, provincial GDP estimation continues to face challenges, including incomplete administrative data, inconsistent classification of economic activities, limited price information, and insufficient inter-agency coordination. The workshop therefore aims to strengthen participants' understanding of GDP concepts, estimation methods, data sources, value-added calculations, and reporting procedures. Officials stressed that, following the training, stronger coordination mechanisms between central and provincial agencies will be established to monitor implementation, resolve technical issues, and improve the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of provincial GDP statistics.