Voices from former Participants   Mr Khammouane XOMSIHAPANYA    Deputy Director General of Enterprise of Telecommunication Lao (ETL)      I have studied all eight subjects, both in the Fundamental and Advanced Courses. All of them are highly important for our businesses. This Course has given me a lot of benefit and it was very meaningful even though the time was too short. I hope, in the near future, the Lao-Japan Center establishes higher education courses such as MBA programs.    I would like to express my gratitude to the Center for giving me opportunities to learn in this Course and also to go to Japan for the study tour as the representative of the graduates from the Course.   Ms Siparaseuth CHANTHAPANYA    Manager, Phonethip Guesthouse      I have learned all eight subjects, both in the Fundamental and Advanced Courses from January to August 2002. The lectures were very useful for running my family business of a guesthouse and boutique as I learned the importance of budgeting and managing our employees.    This program gave me an opportunity to visit Japan, which was well arranged and suited for most of the participants' needs. By visiting 17 places of SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) and International industries in Tokyo and Osaka, I was able to learn about business administration with easy-to-understand philosophies and management strategies.    I will never forget such memorable times and important lessons learned.   Mr Gnoykham APHAYLATH    Business Registration Division, Domestic Trade Department, Ministry of Commerce      This Business Course aims to upgrade the knowledge and management know-how for both government and private sectors. It helped me to obtain much knowledge of business through mutual exchange with other participants, as well as to enjoy friendship.    I am indeed fortunate to participate in the Business Course, as it is highly useful for my job, especially in solving the problems in my job. The lectures let me know the directions and management methods for organizations.    I would like to invite many more people to the Course to learn what the Lao economy should do in the near future. You will surely learn much more than you think you can.   Ms Chanthala KOUKEOMANIVONG    Secretary, JICA Project at Faculty of Economics and Management, National University of Laos      I have been learning in the Fundamental Course. I found it interesting for me. I have obtained much knowledge about business through various business subjects given and exchange of views with other participants from both governmental and private sectors.    Particularly, International Trade allows me to learn significant information such as opportunities, constraints of our country and strategies to improve Lao products. The aim is to access the international market.    This Course gives me a lot of benefits as well as new skills on business communication taught by skillful lecturers. I hope to make use of them to strengthen my capacities for much more effective work.