A delegation from Lao P.D.R.- consisting of Dr. Somnuck THIRARASACK, Dep. Dir. Gen. National Agriculture and Forestry Extension Service (NAFES), Mr. Nhoungthong SIHANATH, Director of Extension Division, NAFES, Mr. Kham Ouane KHAMPHOUKEO, Director of Smallholders Development Project, NAFES and Mr. Viengxay PHOTAKOUN, Director of Livestock Extension Project, NAFES followed an invitation of the Hanns Seidel Foundation to study the organizational structures of different cooperatives in Germany from the 3rd July to the 10th July. NAFES, affiliated to the Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture in Vientiane, is instrumental in implementing cooperative structures in Lao P.D.R. as a result of a recent presidential, decree, which recommends to set up cooperatives in rural areas especially.

In Germany the cooperative system is highly developed and employs more than 800000 full time staff members. In Terms of membership cooperatives are the largest business organization. Approximately 18 million members are united in cooperatives. Cooperatives have significantly contributed to the Development of the Germans economy as a whole, especially to the strengthening of the rural areas.

The visitors from Lao P.D.R. collected a lot of useful information on the theoretical, organizational and administrative background and structures of the cooperative system. The program included visits with the German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Federation and the German Institute for Development in Bonn and a discussion with a cooperative expert of the University of Heidelberg. The visits with two forestry cooperatives in Germany’s Black Forrest Area and a diary and trade cooperative in Bavaria offered very practical insights. Discussions with representatives of the Bavarian Cooperative Federation and a cooperative bank as well as a visit of HSF headquarters in Munich, where the delegation met with the Director of the Foundation’s Institute for International Cooperation, Mr. Christian Hegemer, concluded the study mission. The HSF, which had already supported several projects in the field of SME and cooperative development in the region agreed upon NAFES request to assist in follow up activities for setting up cooperatives in Lao P.D.R.