Category: Governance

Party Secretary General and State President Thongloun Sisoulith on Dec 30 delivered a speech extending wishes to all Lao people on the occasion of international New Year 2023.
My countrymen, year 2022 witnessed us facing a number of difficulties and challenges, including the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic and severe economic and financial difficulties. However, with the unity of the entire Party, state and the entire Lao people as well as the support and assistance from friendly countries, we have made to addressed the problems basically, saving the country from falling into a severe crisis, allowing the country to enjoy strong political stability, society to enjoy peace, economy to enjoy a gradual and constant recovery. These have laid fundamental basis for our country’s economy to grow over years to come.
As for the year 2023, we will continue to overcome such challenges and obstacles. Therefore, I call on all the Lao people, both in the country and abroad to focus all mental and physical efforts and courage on achieving our cause of national protection and development as planned, leading our country to a new step of development, with people enjoying peacefulness, society enjoying unstoppable peace and civilization.
On the occasion of welcoming New Year 2023, on behalf of the Party and government leaders and on my own behalf, I would like to extend best wishes to all Lao people both in the country and abroad a good health, happiness and continue to carry out your tasks with new and greater success thus elevating our country to new heights of development.
May the celebration of International New Year 2023 be full of joy and peace and safety, “Happy New Year 2023”.

Source: Lao News Agency

The 4th Ordinary Session of the National Assembly came to an end on Dec 30.
The closing session of the three-week meeting witnessed the presence of President of the National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane, Party Secretary General and State President Thongloun Sisoulith, and newly elected Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
Cabinet members, other Party and government leaders, members of the National Assembly and representatives of relevant authorities also participated in the closing session.
Addressing the closing ceremony, NA President Xaysomphone said that the 4th Ordinary Session of the National Assembly’s 9th legislature has achieved its objectives as the meeting has considered and approved reports on the implementation of the National Socio-economic Development Plan 202, the State Budget Plan 2022 and the Monetary Plan 2002 and targets set for 2023.
“The meeting has noted that although our country has been affected by regional and global uncertainties as well as domestic socio-economic difficulties which have accumulated for many years, significant efforts made by the government in implementing the policy of the Party, and unity with the National Assembly with respect to issues of national interest as well as the struggle of the public and social organisations and people of all ethnic groups have led to many achievements in implementing the National Socio-economic Development Plan with some these achievements going beyond expectations,” said NA President.
“The country’s economic growth for 2022 is expected to reach 4.4%. Revenue collection has been conducted in a strict manner and the management of government spending has been in line with the thrifty policy. These have allowed the country to continue to secure political stability, social peace and order and manage to save its economy from falling into a severe crisis,” said NA President.

Source: Lao News Agency

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have completed a series of training on responsible business practices for central and provincial Government Agencies in the Lao PDR.
Some 100 officials representing 11 Ministries in Vientiane and eight Departments from six of the country’s northern provinces, learned about the benefits of upholding international standards for regulation of business activity.
Over the past decade, the Lao PDR has been one of the fastest-growing economies in ASEAN, recording average annual growth of up to 8 per cent. While business activity has underpinned much of this progress, it has often been at the expense of the environment and people’s well-being.
Water and air pollution, loss of biodiversity, community relocations, unsafe working conditions, and unequal pay by irresponsible businesses have had a negative impact on the Lao PDR’s sustainable development.
To ensure that business activity continues to progress and does not undermine development, it is critical that the Government embraces responsible business practices.
The UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs) on Business and Human Rights are the key international standard and practical roadmap to guide such progress.
“By strengthening the regulation of business activity in line with the UNGPs, we can ensure that each company, no matter the size or industry, is committed to a prosperous Lao PDR. Responsible business practices protect our natural resources and benefit communities and workers while enabling high-quality and sustainable investments – the key to the recovering from COVID-19 and the current economic challenges,” Dr. Khamphet Vongdala, Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation, MoIC, stressed.
It is estimated that high-quality and sustainable investments now account for 10% of global fund assets, increasing from USD285 billion in 2019 to USD650 billion in 2021 – meaning Governments around the world are aligning regulations with international standards to gain new investment opportunities.
“A National Action Plan with clear Government priorities to align laws, policies and practices with the UNGPs is a powerful tool to attract high-quality and sustainable investments. 30 economies have already adopted such plans, and the Lao PDR should not be left behind in this global trend,” said Mr. Seán O’Connell, UNDP Team Leader for Governance and Assistant Resident Representative.
“UNDP has supported development of National Action Plans in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Viet Nam, and we look forward to supporting the Government of the Lao PDR in its responsible business journey,” said Mr. Seán O’Connell.
Local authorities are at the frontline of strengthening responsible business practices and well-positioned to ensure that a National Action Plan is fit for purpose. Provincial and District Government Agencies are responsible for issuing business licenses, monitoring business operations, and enforcing regulations, while also having a direct connection to communities.
“While the central level can ensure that a National Action Plan meets the Lao PDR’s international responsibilities and UNGPs standards, local authorities are the key to aligning it with the real issues on the ground. We stand ready to contribute our experiences and support,” Mr. Aot Sisavath, Deputy Head of the Luang Namtha Provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment, reflected.
The MoIC-UNDP series of training resulted in over 90 per cent of Government officials reporting an improved understanding of the UNGPs and the National Action Plan processes. It was organized under the “Improving Performance, Accountability, Conduct, and Transparency of Businesses in the Lao PDR” project, also known as IMPACT Biz, funded by the Government of Japan.

Source: Lao News Agency

Authorities of Bokeo Province are preparing for organizing the 20th Kapok Festival of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
Also known as Dok Ngiew (red cotton tree) Festival, the event will take place by the end of next month from January 25-29 to promote tourism in the northern province.
The coming event will feature Miss Kapok and Miss Tourism Lao Contests along with cultural shows, a boat racing, to be joined by rowers from Thailand, Myanmar, China and Laos.
Thousands of lanterns will be released into the night sky, light boats will be set afloat on the river, a boxing contest will be staged, and there will also be an event titled Golden Kapok Music Festival.
Kapok Star Hotel and a golf course will be opened at Phou Kiew Lom International Golf Resort. Business meetings will also be arranged to promote investment and tourism in the triangle area.

Source: Lao News Agency

Members of the National Assembly have asked the government to attach attention to the rehabilitation of drug addicts and providing them with vocational training so that they can find jobs when released from the rehabilitation centres.
At the ongoing 4th Ordinary Session of the National Assembly on Friday, Minister of Public Security Gen. Vilay Lakhamfong briefed the National Assembly about the implementation of the National Agenda on Addressing Drug Problems and targets set for 2023.
The members of NA called on relevant authorities to raise public awareness, especially among risk groups including workers, students, young people and people in remote areas of the menace of narcotic drugs. Meanwhile the government was asked to improve mechanisms of coordination between investigating authorities, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the People’s Court and relevant authorities.
It was also asked to address overcrowding problems of district and provincial prisons and continue to cooperate with and mobilise support and assistance from international partners especially the neighboring countries that share borders with the Lao PDR for anti-drug efforts in the country.

Source: Lao News Agency

Laos has shipped the first batch of 25 containers of bananas containing 500 tonnes to China via the Lao-China Railway.
The first train shipping bananas ceremony was held in Vientiane on Dec 5, which was organized by Department of Plantation, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and UANYE (Lao) Sold CO., LTD.
The events, Mr. Bounchan Kobounyasit, Director of the Department of Agriculture said that the Laos exported bananas and plantains, fresh or dried to China was US$219.1 Million during 2021, According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.
Since 2012, the Laos-China bilateral protocol was signed, a total of 15types of plants in 10 protocols, for bananas export, they jointly signed the phytosanitary terms and conditions for the export of bananas in 2013.
In the past, it was through the car through the Bo-Han-Bo-Ten international checkpoint.
The first train to export of bananas to China is of great significance as an opportunity to create trade value for both countries, attract investment to overcome the obstacles from Covid-19 and support the success of the construction of the Lao-China railway, which will help reduce capital costs and be able to compete with domestic and international products.
According to the memorandum of understanding for joint construction of one-way projects in two regions signed on August 26, 2022 between the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the People’s Administration of Hunan Province, China.
It is stated that Hunan Province will purchase 1 million tons of agricultural products from Laos per year, which Xuan Ye Lao Company Limited has been assigned to be responsible for the production, purchase and export of products, the export of bananas to China through the Laos-China Railway.
After the opening ceremony, there will be continued export of high-quality bananas and other agricultural products from Laos to Hunan Province, China through the Laos-China railway, not less than 2 shipments per week. The president of Xuan Ye Company, said that the company is working hard to build a modern industrial-agricultural development zone in Vientiane by Joint construction of Xuan Ye Company and AVIC International Beijing Limited together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao PDR.
The objective is to create a comprehensive industrial chain for the export of Lao agricultural products, starting from breeding, planting, processing, storage, transportation to trade.
As a support project of the Laos-China Railway, since the beginning of the design and selection of the project site, this area is located near the Vientiane Railway Station with an area of 66 hectares, with a plan to build a food storage warehouse at the level of 200,000 tons, which will become the first transnational food warehouse through the Lao power line under the One Road initiative, estimated to reach 2025.
The area will achieve the goal of exporting 3 million tons of Lao agricultural products to China per year, creating an export value of more than 4 billion US dollars per year and helping Lao farmers escape from poverty and become rich in the number of 330,000 people.

Source: Lao News Agency