Day 11
Laos
A report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) found that in order to apply for registrations, licenses, or permits, almost 70 percent of businesses paid bribes. The report found that access to the officials and the complex system they control is difficult without the payment of “informal charges.” Pray for a greater commitment from the government to clean up corruption. Pray that people who refuse to pay bribes will find favor and success in their endeavors. For the Lord, your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes (The Bible, Deuteronomy 10:17).
Source: Bribes are a common business expense in Laos, a new report says (Radio Free Asia)
Laos is one of the world’s few remaining communist states, enduring as a one-party socialist Marxist republic supported financially by China and Vietnam. Economic progress was made in the last few years, with poverty, education, and health outcomes improved, but COVID-19 has significantly set back the pace of this growth. At one point, persecution of Christian Believers was mandated by the federal government, however, their stance has changed over the last two decades.
