The main highlights from the survey are: firms in Lao PDR lag behind comparator countries in terms of annual sales and employment growth; fewer firms use bank financing than in 2012, but the proportion of bank-financed investments has increased; compared to 2012, Laotian firms spend less time to obtain permits and to comply with regulations; fewer firms in Lao PDR are offering formal training compared to 2012 and to regional comparators; and firms consider informal competitors as the biggest business environment obstacle.