Environmental impacts of trade liberalization in the silk handicrafts sector of the Lao PDR

The key environmental concern related to this sector is wastewater. Wastewater discharge does not currently have a significant environmental impact due to the small size of the sector and the fact that it is predominately composed of small family businesses. Other environmental concerns at present are minimal; sericulture in Lao PDR is environmentally friendly by default and us es natural dyes during processing. Presently, the GoL is promoting a policy of encouraging cleaner production and processing methods to ensure the least impact on the environment.