United States, Oct. 21 -- A decision announced today by the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will promote nature-based tourism in forested areas of the Lao PDR. The regulation provides incentives for small-scale private investment in national parks and protected areas through projects that create jobs, contribute to environmental preservation and build economic partnerships with communities.The business leveraging facility, part of the World Bank supported Lao Landscapes and Livelihoods project, provides three types of financing: for planning and feasibility work, challenge funds that target priority investment in particular areas, and matching funds for product development and marketing work. Interested companies will be able to...