Laos has undergone a rapid agrarian transition, giving way to a surge in large-scale concessions and land leases for cash crops such as bananas – often with adverse socioenvironmental impacts arising from poorly conceived investments and weak governance. In response, MRLG  worked through an alliance of government, private sector, academia, and civil society institutions to support a ministerial Instruction (Instruction 0457) clarifying the obligations of investors entering into concessions and private lease agreements, and influence policy and practice aimed at incentivising responsible investment and mitigating negative impacts.

This case study highlights strategies, challenges and lessons learned from multi-year engagement of MRLG and its partners in shaping Instruction 0457 and related policies including a revised Law on Investment Promotion. It is part of MRLG’s Capitalisation of Experience (Capex), which draws lessons learned from over 10 years of MRLG policy and practice engagement in the Mekong region.