Bridging Provincial Digital Gaps for The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement
Concorde's Digital Readiness Training in Lao PDR
In The News
In May 2026, our senior experts, Eric MOUSSET and Sven CALLEBAUT, led digital capacity training sessions within a workshop series under the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) in Lao PDR. The trainings equipped businesses in Lao PDR’s key economic hubs, Luang Prabang and Pakse, with knowledge of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital technologies, and their implications for trade and vulnerable market actors.
The workshop was supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia. Organized by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR, the workshop supported the adoption of DEFA, the world’s first region-wide digital economic pact that aims to accelerate seamless, secure, and inclusive digital trade and economic integration across Southeast Asia and is projected to double the regional digital economy to USD 2 trillion by 2030. To ensure Lao PDR’s private sector is resilient, inclusive, and fully prepared, this workshop targeted local government authorities and private sector representatives from both provincial service providers, logistics operators, and agri-businesses.
Sven CALLEBAUT: Social Inclusion in Digital Economy
Our Co-Founder Sven CALLEBAUT, who was serving as the Project Lead, also delivered the session: “Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion and digital transformation. Impacts of AI and digital trade on women-owned and small businesses. Rural and remote enterprise perspectives.”
With 30 years of experience as a strategic trade advisor across the region, Sven highlighted the link between technology, policy, and social impact. His session addressed the importance of embedding Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in digitally driven private-sector operations, stressing that macroeconomic changes must benefit all to be truly effective. The training also gave a roadmap for provincial businesses particularly vulnerable market actors, rural MSMEs, and women-owned business to overcome barriers and digital skill gaps so they can be integrated into regional supply chains and fully benefit from DEFA.
Eric MOUSSET: AI & Emerging Technologies
OurSenior Partner Eric MOUSSET led two sessions, bridging AIfundamentals with more advanced use cases of AI-driven automation inthe tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors in LaoPDR.”
“It was a privilege to be part of this initiative as DEFA moves toward signing. The agreement will create new opportunities for businesses across the region, but it is important that firms outside major cities are also ready to benefit. I believe building digital knowledge and skills at the provincial level will help Lao PDR’s private sector take full advantage of these opportunities and participate more effectively in the region’s growing digital economy.” — Eric MOUSSET, Senior Partner at Concorde.
We continue to support international organizations, regional bodies, and governments by translating high-impact policy frameworks into actionable, localized strategies. Our capacity-building programs are built on decades of deep regional advisory experience and a highly inclusive approach across the Mekong region and ASEAN.
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Contact ourSenior Partner Eric MOUSSET at eric.mousset@concorde.asia
