There is a lot of criticism about foreign aid now because it is not effective for poverty reduction of the poor. basically, The poor NEVER get it nor see any intended benefits, only crooked politicians do.
Do you know why there are thousands of young Lao people trying to cross Mekong river to Thailand?, often illegally? it is because our country cannot provide for a decent living conditions. Laos cannot provide enough opportunities for their population to eat, learn and find work and that is why many try and do leave, in the hope to find better conditions somewhere else.
Vientiane is very small, there are not many work available for them. Only garment factory that pays 50-60$ per month..
For those of you who think Lao government is smart, doing very good job.. please look around our neighboring countries.. we are so much behind them.
Stop being so stupid. Most poor countries need foreign aids. Laos is one of them. But do you think it is a good thing that Laos depends heavily on foreign aids? why you are so retarded?
Here is why you should not be proud about what Laos is doing compared to other poor countries:
Laos ranked 5th in the world as a aid-dependent country.
No 1. Afghanistan 167.7% of Central Government Expenditure 2. Niger 108.4% 3. Madagascar 108.1% 4. Mali 97.4% 5.Lao PDR 89.7%
No countries in ASEAN depends so much on foreign aid like Laos, even Cambodia and Timor East whose GDP per capita are less than Laos..
All of our leaders have nice cars and house... worth millions of dollars... but Laos is begging money for its survival