2007-1019 - KPL News

http://www.kpl.net.la/


Party Secretary General talks to CTPC managers and core cadres

(KPL) Mr. Choummaly Sayasone, Secretary General of the Lao People’s
Revolutionary Party and State President, has urged all leading officials, core
cadres, senior officials and staff of the Ministry of Communication, Transport,
Post and Construction to review all shortcomings, especially their
responsibility, role and duty in materialising the resolutions of the 8th Party
Congress.
President Choummaly made the statement during his guiding visit to the CTPC
Ministry on 17 October. President Choummaly was briefed about the CTPC
activities made in the 2006-2007 period and its 2007-2008 planned activities
from Mr. Sommad Pholsena, CTPC Minister.
President Choummaly has asked the CTPC Ministry to re-analyse the infrastructure
building to prepare elements for modernisation and industriasation, especially
road and telecommunication system.
He asked the ministry to send more staff to provinces, districts, enterprises
and village groups, to implement the government’s 11 programmes covering 111
projects, which are priorities of the socio-economic development.
He also instructed the meeting to review the ministry’s regulations and
investment management methods, and the use of funds from various sources,
including grants and joint projects, to ensure the proper use of funds.
In his conclusion, President Choummaly urged the Ministry to raise awareness of
its officials, particularly about the resolution of the 8th Party Congress.


PM welcomes Turkish Ambassador

(KPL) Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh received a courtesy visit of Ambassador
of Turkey Mehmet Cinat Aldemir to Laos bases in Thailand to discuss on future
cooperation between Laos and Turkey on Wednesday at the Prime Minister’
Office.
The PM Bouasone paid a warmly welcome to the Ambassador Aldemir and highly
valued the working visit of Ambassador to Laos, which considered a significant
contribution to strengthen the existing long traditional cooperation between
Laos and Turkey.
The Ambassador Aldemir has expressed thanks to PM Bouasone for warmly welcome.
At the same day, the PM Bouasone also received new US Ambassador, Mr Ravic Rolf
Huso to Laos at his office.


Laos, Cambodia to open international border checkpoint soon

(KPL) A ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a new international
Laos-Cambodia border checkpoint was held on 17 October under the presidency of
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Dr Thongloun
Sisoulith, and his Cambodian counterpart Mr. Hor Namhong.
Present in the event were the governors of Champassak and Strung Teng
(Cambodia), along with the local authorities, people and the representatives of
line ministries.
The ceremony is of very important and historical significance to the relations
between Laos and Cambodia and opens a new era of cooperation between the two
neighbours, said Dr Thongloun.
The construction of the checkpoint coincides with that of the road linking Road
No 13 of Laos and Road No 7 of Cambodia, which will strengthen the
communication, trade, investment and tourism of both countries.
The border checkpoint is also to enhance the economic co-operation of the
regional countries, especially the East-West Economic Corridor and North-South
Economic Corridor, which will particularly help Laos shift itself from a
landlocked country to a land-link one.


Luang Prabang boosts commercial sesame plantations

(KPL) To promote the market-oriented agricultural production, aiming to upgrade
the living condition of farmers, the Luang Prabang authorities have recently
given priority to four industrial crops. They are sesame, Job’s tears, maize
and soybean.
According to a local source, in this season sesame has been widely grown at Ban
Nagnoi, Phosay district, where growers have turned their back on slash- and-burn
cultivation and taken up sesame plantation for their livelihood .
This year, some farmers of Ban Nagnoi have put 19ha under sesame and harvested
approximately 20 tonnes. The produce has been sold for 6,300 kip a kilo.
In the 2006-2007 period, Luang Prabang grew sesame on 8,400 ha , up from 6,134
ha in the previous year.


23 families still in poverty in Pak Ngum

(KPL) Vientiane’s district of Pak Ngum this week reported the number of its
poor families is just 23 reduced from 120 in 2001.
According to the celebration ceremony of national and international week for
poverty reduction (17-24 October) held on Wednesday in the district, Pak Ngum
plans to have its rest poor families live over poverty by 2010.
Participating in the function were Vientiane Mayor Dr Sinlavong Koutpaythoun,
Minister to Prime Minister’s Office Mr One Neua Phommachanh, along with the
representatives of Poverty Reduction Fund and concerned organisations.
Pak Ngum’s efforts in reducing poverty have been enhanced by state financial
assistance and grants from international organisations supporting the
improvement of infrastructure and human resource development.
Vientiane has established a poverty reduction fund for the district to provide
loans helping its residents raise animals, produce handicrafts and do family
businesses.
At the Wednesday’s function, Mr Ornnuea also highlighted Prime Minister’s
directive on building village development clusters and focal areas, a measure
important for reducing poverty of Lao people.


Annual Nationwide Labour conference closes

(KPL) An annual nationwide conference of the Ministry of Labour and
Social-Welfare (LSW) was held in Vientiane from 17-19 October to review the past
one year activities and discuss future LSW work.
Chaired by its minister Onechanh Thammavong, the meeting was attended by more
than 100 leading officials from various ministries, institutes, mass
organisations and local authorities.
The meeting has also touched on the strategic plan for the development of the
labour and social-welfare work for the 2010 –2020 period to be in line with
the Party policy and the sixth five-year plan of socio-economic development,
especially to implement the 11 programmes and 111 projects of the government in
the labour and social welfare sector.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh has asked all officials
of the Labour and Social Welfare sector to help improve the skills of Lao
labour. He said the goal was also to improve labour management by creating job
opportunities, and implementing new policies for veterans and national heros,
their families, retirees and the disabled.
Prime Minister Bouasone also hoped that all participants at the meeting would
work to find the best way to manage and protect Lao workers, both in Laos and
overseas.


Khammouane receives three grant aid projects

(KPL) A signing ceremony on the approval of sub-three grant aid projects for
Khammouane province was held at Khammouane Administration Office on 16 October,
aiming at improving the living conditions of local people.
The event was witnessed by its Governor Khambat Damlat, the Director of the Lao
National Fund for Environment Conservation Souk Katavichit, senior officials of
the provincial Women Union, the Forestry and Agriculture Division and
provincials Science, Technology and Environment Agency.
The fund has approved of financial support for three projects of Phathambing
Forest Conversation Management in Boualapha district (US$6,000), the waste
management in Mahasay district (US$7,655) and community development, environment
conservation and hygienic promotion and safe water supply in Saybouathong
district (US$5,000).
Before these projects, the fund had already approved some financial support for
four projects with worth of US$32,946.
The fund has further support previous projects in response to the 2010
provincial targets of Borikhamsay, Khammouane and Savannakhet.
Mr Khambat has expressed thanks to the Environment Preservation Fund for the
financial support held as a great contribution to the provincial development.
He also advised the recipient sectors that the fund should be used in real
target and brought high benefit to the poverty reduction among local people.


Pickup truck - ranked top import

(KPL) Pick-up trucks remain considerably popular among Vientiane residents that
its net sale is the top ranking.
Particularly, the Vigo pick-up truck, which was imported in large amount from
2000 to 2007 increased to 5,387 to 2,170 pickup trucks, according a meeting of
Ministry of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction (MCTPC) held this
month.
Vientiane Communication, Transport, Post and Construction Division has recently
revealed that a large number of orders for motorcycles and pickups have been
reported.
Some stands said with wonder of some people’s income resource how can they
afford it?.
While an informal news source stated further that their irregular income might
come from the sale of their farmlands.
The motorbikes is the first rank amount of 196,834, next is pickup truck amount
of 40,903 and luxury cars as the third rank amount of 14,004.
The Vehicle and Driving Control Division of Vientiane Capital, (MCTPC) has
revealed that there have been more than 220,000 vehicles were informed for
registering, of which 185,200 vehicles have already received registration books
and some 39,000 vehicle are awaiting for permanent registration books.
The increase made economic critics kept on eyes closely people income that might
have increased slightly. But there are the less number of Vientiane residents
ordered to buy the luxurious cars from overseas especially Ford, Benz, BMW and
Toyota.
At the same time critics said that Laos is a least developed country, the most
of vehicles are directly imported from overseas if our concerned officials
allowed over imported quota it might affected directly on socio-economic
development involved to pollution and accident on the road.
Therefore the imported vehicles should check the quality and standard before
allowing to Laos, to ensure that all vehicles to Laos must be safety and to
reduce carbon emission caused by air pollution.


Concert calls for end to poverty

(KPL) Vientiane residents joined a concert against poverty to mark the 20th
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty at the French Language Centre,
Vientiane on Wednesday.
The function was attended by ministers, diplomats, teachers, development
workers, journalists, bankers, children and grandparents, street vendors and
students.
The concert against poverty was organised by the United Nations in the Lao PDR
and the Lao Government to mark the 20th International Day for the Eradication of
Poverty and featured two Laos’ most popular bands - the Cells and Punky Dolls.
The concert was aimed at increasing awareness on poverty and the urgent need to
achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) among Lao youth.
Minister Onneau Phommachanh, Minister to the Prime Minister’ s Office and
President of the National Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Reduction
opened the concert to an excited crowd at the centre.
The Minister reiterated the Lao Government’s strong commitment to alleviating
poverty and achieving the MDGs. He noted that during the past five years the
Government’s investment in poverty alleviation activities reached 565.42
billion kip. These funds have been directed to building basic infrastructure
such as roads, irrigation systems, rural electricity, schools, public health
centres, and ensuring access to safe drinking water.
Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations,
congratulated the Lao government for the excellent progress it has made in
combating poverty in his country. But she noted that it is not the
responsibility of the Government alone. “Poverty eradication requites all of
us-the government, development stakeholders, the private sector, civil society
and the general community-to honour commitment to the MDGs and to work together
towards a world without poverty. It is our responsibility and our duty”, Ms
Rana said during her brief but motivational speech.
She encouraged the crowd to “stand up in solidarity with those who are less
fortunate than us and join together to fight poverty”.
This plea was taken to heart with lead singer of the Cells, Sak, leading the
crowd in a global world record attempt at the most people standing up at one
time around the world against poverty. Getting everyone in the audience to raise
their hands, Sak, had the enthusiastic audience shout “end poverty now!” and
“Achieve the MDGs by 2015!”.


Lao nationals win scholarships to study in Australia

(KPL) Another 43 scholarships for study in Australia were granted to Lao
nationals by the Australian Government and the Australian investor - Lang Xang
Minerals, last week.
The Australian Government has been providing Australian scholarships for
tertiary training in Australia for more than twenty years to assist the Lao PDR
in its socio-economic development and human resource needs. Australian
scholarships provide Lao people with necessary skills and knowledge to drive
change and influence the development of the Lao PDR. The programme supports
gender equity by providing an equal number of scholarships to males and females.
The success of the Australian scholarships has been the return to their homeland
of hundreds of young Lao graduates to use the skills and knowledge acquired in
Australia in the national development. “There are almost 800 graduates making
important contributions to development in Laos, drawing on the skills and
knowledge gained through their commitment and with support from the Australian
Government,” said Michael Hassett (First Secretary, Australian Embassy) when
he congratulated the Australian Scholarship winners at Vientiane College on
Friday 12 October.
Mr Hassett further stated that “Many awardees are now in senior decision
making positions, in government, international organisations and in the private
sector. Our alumni group includes a Deputy-Minister, the dean of a faculty at
the National University of Laos (NUOL), an ambassador and other senior officials
in the government at home and in the diplomatic service overseas. Australian
Scholarship recipients are particularly valued for their high level analytical
and critical thinking skills.”
Another important aspect of the Australian Scholarship programme in the Lao PDR
is a partnership with the Australian mining company, Oxiana Limited through its
Lao subsidiary, Lane Xang Minerals Limited (LXML). Oxiana provides three
scholarships each year for study mining-related disciplines. After completing
their studies, Oxiana scholars will work for the company and contribute to
economic development in the Lao PDR. Mr Peter Albert, Managing Director of LXML
said: “We are very proud to be the first private company and of being part of
providing scholarships to young Lao citizens”.
Mr Hassett and Mr Albert agreed that the most important outcome of the
Scholarship programme is the deepening ties it supports between Australia and
Laos. They encouraged the Australian Scholarship winners not only to work hard
in their studies but also to develop an understanding of Australian culture and
to share their own cultural background.


ANZ to introduce financial alternatives to Lao consumers

(KPL) A world class banking group, ANZ, and Vientiane Commercial Bank have
established their jopint financial institute, ANZ Vientiane Phanith Bank, to
provide financial alternatives to Lao consumers.
The newly established bank plans to introduce its developed financing service to
the public in the first quarter of 2008, according to its Managing Director
Allan Marlin.
“We have a substantial agenda to fulfill during the next six months to monitor
the ongoing construction and the opening of our bank’s office of which a
state-of-the-art banking system will be equipped,” said this week Marlin.
With an aim to be a “bank of choice” for Lao consumers, ANZ Vientiane
Phanith Bank has committed to focusing on simplifying consumers’ access to
financial services.
“The experience of Vientiane Phanith Bank and its ANZ counterpart will help
facilitate our provision of assessable and suitable financial assistance to
local customers,” said Mr. Marlin.

Vietnamese Businesses to invest 3.5 billion USD in Laos

(KPL) Vietnamese businesses will make a total investment of 3.5 billion USD in
13 projects in Laos.
The announcement was made by Director General of the Bank for Investment and
Development of Vietnam (BIDV) Tran Bac Ha during his meeting with Lao Deputy
Prime Minister and President of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Sub-Committee
Somsavat Lengsavad in Vientiane on October 13.
During the October 11-13 visit to Laos by a delegation of Vietnamese businesses,
the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PVN) signed with the Lao Planning and
Investment Committee two memorandums of understanding on two projects worth 1.7
billion USD. One is a project of oil and gas exploration in the southern
provinces of Champassak and Saravane, and the other is the construction project
of a 1,400-MW hydro-power station in the northern province of Luang Prabang.
According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam ranks the third
among 30 foreign investors in Laos after China and Thailand, with 84 projects
worth 500 million USD.