Day: June 5, 2023

A conference to discuss progress made in preparation for Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship 2024 was convened in Vientiane on June 1.

Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith who is also deputy head of the National Steering Committee on Preparation and Implementation of ASEAN Chairmanship of Laos 2024, the meeting was attended by representatives of relevant ministries and organisations.

During the conference, the national committee reviewed preparations made with respect to ASEAN Chairmanship of 14 subcommittees in terms of discussion contents, theme and logo design, accommodations for state and government leaders, delegates and foreign journalists, meeting venues, communication and internet facilities, liaison officers and volunteers, tourism destinations, among others.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested subcommittees to make efforts and accomplish their tasks, especially urgent ones to serve the handover of the ASEAN Chairmanship from Indonesia at the 43rd Summit which will be held in September this year.

He also asked relevant sectors to continue preparing necessary works to ensure success of the ASEAN Summit and other related meetings which will be held in Laos in 2024.

Source: Lao News Agency

The Biological Diversity and Tourism event, Biotur-2023, scheduled from July 17 to 21 in the eastern province of Holguin, is being marketed with very good acceptance, according to organizers.

Yoel Dominguez, director of the eastern branch of the Ecotur travel agency, the sponsor of the event, said that so far, clients from six countries, including Mexico and Colombia, where there is a growing demand for this product to promote the region’s natural attractions, will participate in the event.

The executive noted the interest that Biotur has arisen in the Caribbean Adventures Association, since the province has many attractions, such as the Sierra Cristal, Mensura-Piloto and Alejandro von Humboldt national parks, the latter was declared a World Heritage Site.

Jose Walker, an official at the Tourism Ministry’s Delegation in Holguín, explained the characteristics of this edition, as its main intention is to attract tour operators specialized in nature tourism in Cuba and to promote traditional and new products of eastern Cuba.

In general terms, Biotur-2023 will promote various tours in several points of the country, in the modalities of adventure in the rural areas of Holguin, hiking, nautical crossings, eco-adventure in flooded caverns and bird and reptile watching.

Source: Lao News Agency

Australian Government supported five life-saving dialysis machines will support thousands of patients, and ensure a better quality of life, in provincial hospitals in Bokeo, Xayabouly, Bolikhamxay and Xekong provinces.

The machines were handed last Thursday to Minister of Health, Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith by Australian Embassy’s First Secretary Vanessa Hegarty and WHO Representative Dr Ying-Ru Lo at the Ministry of Health in Vientiane.

Procured by WHO, the machines will help those suffering from kidney disease by improving treatment accessibility, helping more than 5000 additional people each year. It will also allow COVID-19 positive patients to be treated separately, reducing the risk of the virus spreading to others.

“A strong health system means better services, a better quality of care and better outcomes for our patients,” said Minister of Health, Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith. “Any and all progress towards this means lives saved and health protected.”

“My thanks go to the Australian Government for this important donation to our provincial hospitals, protecting both those with kidney disease, and other patients who will benefit significantly.”

“While this support originated in response to COVID-19, we are delighted that it will also build the sector’s long-term capacity to provide dialysis services to people in need, particularly in the provinces, and provide them with life-sustaining treatment,” said Vanessa Hegarty, First Secretary of the Australian Embassy.

“The Australian Government is committed to our long-lasting friendship with Lao PDR, across COVID-19 recovery, routine immunization and many other areas.”

The dialysis machines were accompanied by 68,000 rapid COVID-19 test kits, and medication for the treatment of COVID-19, distributed to central hospitals. It adds to an earlier Australian Government-donation of four dialysis machines to Khammouane, Salavan, and Champasack provinces late last year.

“The benefits for preventing catastrophic expenditures for individuals with chronic kidney disease and their families is significant,” said WHO Representative Dr Ying-Ru Lo. “I commend the Ministry of Health for its efforts in increasing capacity for dialysis in government health facilities.”

“This generous donation will also ensure that highly vulnerable people with kidney disease can be better assisted, and the health system is strengthened for the future. The Australian Government has been a generous partner throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing urgent and longer-term needs, and we greatly appreciate their ongoing support.”

This donation forms part of almost USD 2 million of support from the Australian Government to WHO Lao PDR to address COVID-19 prevention, treatment and vaccination, and other health issues, across the country. Assistance has included early support for COVID-19 testing and outbreak surveillance, funding for vaccines, supplies for laboratories and clinics, and extensive training for healthcare workers.

Source: Lao News Agency

Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam hosted a reception in Hanoi on June 5 for a delegation of the National Police Agency (NPA) of the Republic of Korea (RoK) led by Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun.

Lam stressed that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the RoK has made progress, contributing to promoting bilateral relations, meeting aspirations of their people, for peace and prosperity of both nations.

He noted with pleasure outcomes of the second phase of the project on improving criminal science capacity funded by the Korean agency, saying it has helped raise criminal science capacity for the Vietnamese ministry’s officers.

To strengthen relations between the two countries as well as the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the NPA, the minister suggested the two sides continue consolidating their political trust, maintain mutual support at regional and international forums, enhance cooperation across spheres, especially economy and trade, and foster cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides should increase all-level delegation exchanges, step up cooperation in cross-border crime prevention and control, and forge collaboration between their units, he continued.

Lam also called for further coordination from the NPA in materialising the above-said project and the organisation of training courses in the RoK for Vietnamese police officers.

He emphasised the positive, stable development of cooperation in law enforcement and the fight against crime, which has brought about practical benefits to both sides.

For his part, Yoon pledged to work on promoting collaboration between the two agencies, contributing to ensuring national security and social order and safety in each country./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Malaysia’s inflation rate is expected to remain moderate this year based on what the economic data indicates for the next few months, Malaysian Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said on June 4.

Speaking to the media at Invest Fair 2023, the minister revealed that the government is optimistic that the country will be able to meet the inflation target of between 2.8-3.3%. The government will continue to focus on scaling up food production capacity at the local level and on the narrative that cooked meal prices should moderate.

He emphasised that Malaysia has seen inflation numbers come under control with 11 straight months of moderating inflation by focusing on a series of stabilisation measures. The government is expecting the downward trend will continue throughout the year.

Commenting on the country’s monetary policy, the minister noted that the overnight policy rate and monetary policy are driven by long-term data and evidence-based data available to the central bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia).

According to Rafizi, unless it begins to encroach on the social safety net or has an immediate impact on the economy that will move away from the sweet spot between sustainability and growth, then the ministry will have a discussion with the central bank to adjust these policies./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

As fuel prices continue to rise, promoting electric vehicles (EVs) as well as installing charging stations in the capital Vientiane of Laos is considered a solution to reducing environmental pollution in the future.

Somkham Thoummavongsa, head of Vientiane’s Department of Energy and Mines, said currently 20 charging stations are available in the capital city, which plans to build more in over 50 other sites in the locality. Previously, electric buses have been put into operation to serve the travel needs of the people, he said.

Using electric vehicles not only lessens the economic burden but also contributes to reducing environmental pollution and traffic accidents as well as building a green, clean and beautiful Vientiane.

The Lao Government has set a goal for electric vehicles to make up at least 1% of the total number of vehicles in society and reach at least 30% by 2030.

To realise that goal, Laos has adopted preferential policies to prioritise the use of electric vehicles such as not restricting the import or reducing the road use fee by 30% for electric vehicles compared to those using petrol and oil of the same type./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency