Vientiane Times
Asean members seek to improve agricultural standards
- Title
- Asean members seek to improve agricultural standards
- Runtime
- 2:46
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The Asean grouping comprises one of the most productive agricultural baskets in the world, and produces crops both for export agriculture and local consumption.
The 4th meeting of a taskforce on Asean standards in organic agriculture and the 12th meeting of a taskforce on Asean standards for horticultural produce and other food crops is taking place in Vientiane from May 23-27 with a view to increasing the quality of agricultural products of Asean member countries and ensuring food safety in the international market.
The meeting is an important platform for sharing knowledge and exchanging information and experiences on production, regulations and market access in organic agriculture and standards for horticultural produce and food crops.
Asean has been confronted with the challenges posed by trade liberalisation, which implies that Asean needs to produce horticultural and food products that can compete with international markets, said the Director Gener...
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- Asean labour ministers formulate joint action plans
- Runtime
- 2:45
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The 24th Asean Labour Ministers Meeting (24th ALMM) kicked off in Vientiane yesterday to consider and adopt plans towards ensuring better conditions and prospects for the region's workforce.
The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and attended by labour ministers from Asean member states, the Asean Deputy Secretary-General and members of the diplomatic corps from Asean member states and Asean Plus 3.
Deputy Prime Minister Dr Sonexay Siphandone chaired the opening ceremony.
The 24th ALMM, the 9th Asean Plus Three Labour Ministers Meeting and related meetings reviewed the progress of implementation of the Asean Labour Ministers Work Plan from 2011-2016, considered reports on the 12th Asean Senior Labour Officials Meeting and the 14th Asean Plus Three Senior Labour Officials Meeting, and the Vientiane Declaration on “Transition from Informal Employment to Formal Employment towards Promotion of Decent Works in Asean”.
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- Govt to address compensation issues at Saysettha development zone
- Runtime
- 4:05
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The government is on track with its plan for the 1,149-hectare Saysettha Development Zone in Vientiane, which will contribute to the country's economic growth, but some issues still need to be ironed out.
The main issue is that families living on 404 hectares of land allocated for the zone have not yet been paid compensation for the land or property they will lose because the government does not have the resources to pay them at present.
Families living on about 570 hectares that will be incorporated into the zone have already been compensated by the government at a total cost of more than 100 billion kip, a senior official from the National Committee for Special Economic Zones (NCSEZ) said.
Deputy Minister and Vice President of the NCSEZ, Ms Bouatha Khatthiya, highlighted the issue when welcoming Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and his delegation to the site last week.
She said the NCSEZ has reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with...
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- Officials aims to build understanding of copyrights
- Runtime
- 0:45
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Laos need to increase understanding on the value of copyrights to ensure that they are respected by individuals, businesses and companies operating in the country.
The majority of Lao people do not yet have a sufficient understanding of the principles of copyright, officials confirmed.
Director General of the Department of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr Khanlasy Keobounphanh spoke at the National Workshop on Awareness Building on Copyright and Related Rights yesterday in Vientiane.
She highlighted that the main objectives of the workshop were to increase awareness of copyrights and related rights and to promote better understanding on the role of copyrights in enhancing cultural and economic development and encouraging creativity.
She said promoting and encouraging inventors and their creativity is key to furthering the development of mankind, promoting research and transferring technical knowle...
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- Asean labour officials discuss draft of Vientiane Declaration
- Runtime
- 3:24
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The draft of the Vientiane Declaration on Transition from Informal Employment to Formal Employment towards Decent Work Promotion in Asean was the key topic of discussion at the 12th Asean Senior Labour Officials Meeting (SLOM) held yesterday in Vientiane.
The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and attended by senior labour officials from Asean member states and representatives of the Asean Secretariat.
Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Dr Khampheng Saysompheng delivered the opening remarks.
This is the third time Laos has had the great honour to host the SLOM - the first time was in 2002 and the second in 2011, Dr Khampheng said.
He added that this 12th SLOM is a continuation of the 11th SLOM held in the Philippines last year.
The 12th SLOM is discussing labour related issues in relation to social and economic matters through documents on implementing the Asean Socio-Cultural Community Blu...
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- Asean debates rights of migrant workers
- Runtime
- 2:06
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The 9th Meeting of the Asean Committee on the Implementation of the Asean Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW)opened in Vientiane yesterday.
The meeting was organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. Over the course of a day and a half, participants will discuss issues relating to the Declaration.
Representatives of the Asean Secretariat, ACMW leaders from Asean member states and their respective delegations are in attendance.
Speaking as Chair of the meeting, Deputy Director General of the Planning and Cooperation Department, MrChomyaengPhengthongsawat, said the objective of the meeting was to review the progress made in implementing the ACMW's work plan for 2011-2020 under four main thrusts.
Thrust 1: step up protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers against exploitation and mistreatment; Thrust 2: strengthen protection and promotion of the rights of migrant...
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- Luang Namtha tourism
- Runtime
- 5:29
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Luang Namtha tourism
- Title
- See you next time, Vangvieng
- Runtime
- 4:15
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- By Thipphaphone Channavong
Does nature mixed with a little bit of adventure sound appealing to you? If so, then Vangvieng is your destination. Vangvieng is a small district in the north of Vientiane province, just four hours’ drive from the capital and a perfect weekend getaway.
The first day I arrived there on a recent trip, I went to explore Jung Cave. Entrance costs 10,000 kip if you’re Lao and 15,000 kip if you’re a foreigner. Before you get to the cave, you have to cross an orange bridge which looks like a smaller version of the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco. I love how the temperature changed once you reached the cave area. You suddenly feel cooler and more relaxed.
There’s a saying that if you don’t count the steps uphill to the cave, you won’t be lucky. So I counted each step of the long winding staircase up and up. It turned out I was just a number short. Carved into the stairs, it says 147 steps. Once I was at the top, I realised th...
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- President Bounnhang Vorachit this morning welcomed Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw
- Runtime
- 2:46
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw, his wife and a high-level delegation are scheduled to pay a state visit to Laos on Friday, the Presidential Office has said in a press release.
The visit is in response to an invitation from his Lao counterpart Bounnhang Vorachit, who was elected Lao President by the National Assembly last month.
This is U Htin Kyaw's first visit to Laos after he was sworn into office as the President of Myanmar in March. He will also be the first head of state of a foreign country that President Bounnhang has received during his term of office.
U Htin Kyaw was born on July 20, 1946 in Yangon, Myanmar. He is the son of Min Thu Wun, a respected author and poet. He married Daw Su Su Lwin, who was a former chair of the Foreign Relations Committee in the lower house and an NLD MP from Thongwa Township.
In 1962, U Htin Kyaw graduated from the English Methodist High School. From 1962-63, he studed at Rangoon University, majori...
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- Japan pledges further development support
- Runtime
- 1:55
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Japan has pledged to support Laos in its development efforts, aiming to narrow the gap between Laos as a least developed country and other countries in Southeast Asia and the Mekong Basin.
Japan's Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs Mr Masato Otaka stressed Japan's continued support at a press conference held in Vientiane yesterday on the outcomes of the official visit by Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida from May 4-5.
Mr Otaka referred to the meeting between Minister Kishida and his Lao counterpart Mr Saleumxay Kommasith.
He also described t he Japanese minister's courtesy visit to Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, during which they discussed medium- and long-term plans for future joint development in Laos.
“Minister Kishida emphasised Japan's intention to further engage in Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Laos while making this assistance more effective through the Japan-Mekong Connectivity Initiative,” Mr Otaka...
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- Vientiane Glow Run for Autism
- Runtime
- 2:03
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Vientiane Glow Run for Autism
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- President gives instructions to new government
- Runtime
- 4:47
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- President Bounnhang Vorachit has instructed the new government to crack down on violations of financial discipline and other undesirable forms of conduct, and improve the management of crop harvests and the use of natural resources.
Mr Bounnhang, who is also Secreta ry General of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, highlighted these points yesterday when addressing the government's inaugural meeting at the P rime Minister's Office.
The new government, led by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, was approved by the National Assembly at its inaugural session on April 20, which also approved the eighth five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan.
“The government needs to urgently implement the national socio-economic development plan, which should ensure the prevention of and address undesirable conduct at central and local levels of government. In particular, attention must be paid to financial discipline at the deepest levels, the lack of which ...
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- Laos marks World Intellectual Property Day
- Runtime
- 3:23
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Laos is marking World Intellectual Property Day by promoting local products and economic wisdom and creating conditions conducive to modern industrial development.
But the country needs more researchers, scientists, innovators, creators and students to be aware of and protect Laos' intellectual property.
These were the words of the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. DrBoviengkhamVongdara, when he opened the Intellectual Property (IP) Fair at Lao-ITECC in Vientiane yesterday. The fair runs until May 1.
World Intellectual Property Day focuses on the use and development of intellectual property for the betterment of the country, Prof. DrBoviengkham said.
Over 200 local and foreign firms have set up booths at the fair.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the fair and World Intellectual Property Day, he said that Laos together with other members of the World Intellectual Property Organisation had arranged events includi...
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- Laos prepares for timber trade agreement with EU
- Runtime
- 2:49
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The Technical Working Group of the Lao Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) process has elaborated a first draft Timber Legality Definition in preparation for the first face-to-face FLEGT/Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) negotiations between Laos and the European Union.
The Department of Forest Inspection of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is holding a workshop to agree on the first structure of the Timber Legality Definition with Principles, while providing a venue to further discuss the draft Timber Legality Definition of the Thematic Expert Group on Log Landing 1-3 in production forests.
The two-day workshop brought together 50 key stakeholders from various government agencies, and private sector and civil society organisations.
“Having a concrete definition on what is legal timber is crucial for Laos as it acts as an ‘entry ticket' to generate new export opportunities in the Asean Economic Community and other export ...
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- Parliament approves development plans
- Runtime
- 5:09
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The inaugural session of the National Assembly (NA)'s 8th Legislature ended on Friday with the approval of the 8th five-year National Social Economic Development Plan for 2016-2020, the 10-year Strategy for 2016-2025, and the 15-year Vision for 2016-2030.
The three-day session elected MrBounnhangVorachit as President of the Lao PDR, MrPhankhamViphavanh as Vice President and MrThonglounSisoulith as Prime Minister, while MsPanyYathotou was re-elected as President of the National Assembly.
MrKhamsaneSouvong was re-elected as Head of the People's Prosecutor General Organisation and MrKhamphanhSitthidampha was re-elected as President of the Supreme People's Court.
The session also re-elected MrSomphanhPhengkhammy and elected Lieutenant General SengnuanSayalath, DrBounponeBouttanavong and MsSisayLeudethmounsone as vice presidents of the National Assembly. Members also approved the structure of the Assembly, which consists of eight committees and a Secretariat....
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- Lao salt producers mull quality improvements for export
- Runtime
- 6:10
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Lao salt producers are working together to improve the quality of their products for export after already ensuring sufficient domestic supply.
To expand to markets in Asean and the region, Lao salt producers need to improve the quality of their products to a standard level, said one salt producer in Vientiane, Ms Bounthavy Chounlamany.
Ms Bounthavy told Vientiane Times recently that despite the fact that Laos integrated with the Asean Economic Community (AEC) at the end last year most of the salt producing entrepreneurs in the country are not ready for competition.
However, Ms Bounthavy was sure that the 100 percent natural salt from the ground in Laos offers good opportunities for export, offering a different option from the sea salt produced in other countries.
Different Asean countries and some countries in East Asia have already expressed interested in salt products from Laos but Lao producers need to improve their quality, especi...
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- Vientiane Times
- Runtime
- 4:14
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The main sponsor of the Lao Premier League for the next three years (from 2016 to 2018) has been revealed as the Lao Brewery Co, Ltd and this year the company shall commence with sponsorship funds of 1.2 billion kip for Premier League 2016.
The sponsorship signing ceremony was held at the Lao Football Federation (LFF)'s office on Thursday, between the LFF's Acting President Mr Pasatxay Philaphandeth and Senior Deputy Managing Director of Lao Brewery Co, Ltd, Mr Sounthone Phommachak.
Mr Pasatxay said the company would like to support the nation's premier footballing event in addition to the many other sporting events it has supported in the past and continues to do so presently.
The Lao Brewery Company are the premier development partners for sport, it was noted.
Mr Pasatxay said with the total budget support of 1.2 billion kip this year, the LFF will be able to organise the activities of Premier League 2016, as well as develop the national f...
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- New leaders take up their posts
- Runtime
- 4:49
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The National Assembly's (NA) 8th Legislature began its four-day inaugural session yesterday with members reelecting MsPanyYathotou to a second term as the Assembly's President and electing Party Secretary General MrBounnhangVorachit as the head of state.
MsPany, who was President of the NA's previous legislature, received votes from almost all Assembly members present at the session.
Referring to her suitability for the post, members said she was a longstanding and accomplished female member of the Assembly and possessed the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to lead the legislative body. She was also able to make clearcut decisions on the issues submitted for her consideration.
Members also spoke of their pride that the country could elect a woman from an ethnic group to one of the Party's highest leadership positions. This demonstrated that the National Assembly was the highest state body and a true representative of the people.
Du...
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- Joyful festivities mark Pi Mai Lao , the year of the monkey
- Runtime
- 4:00
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Lao people nationwide, tourists and foreigners gathered in joy and friendship last week to celebrate Pi Mai Lao , the Year of the Monkey, in the Land of a Million Elephants.
Despite the temperature rising to over 40 degrees during some days of the week-long celebrations, it wasn't really a problem because the cool water that it was impossible to escape offered welcome relief.
In Vientiane, the main streets in the town centre, especially Setthathirath, Samsenthai and Chao Fangum roads, were jam packed with people who congregated in the area for four days of high spirited water battles.
The range of activities on offer this year gave people plenty of choice, and centred on the sandy expanse of Don Chan beach which was more crowded than usual during this most exuberant of holidays.
There were special entertainment zones, while those who became overheated could take a refreshing dip in the Mekong. Of particular interest were the massive sand scu...
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- President tours Saysettha Development Zone
- Runtime
- 2:23
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The Lao National Committee for Special Economic Zones (NCSEZ) will continue to support the Saysettha Development Zone to upgrade the one-stop administrative service and electronic management system to attract both local and foreign investors.
At present, many more companies are heading to invest in Saysettha Development Zone in Vientiane after witnessing the great potential to benefit from the coming regional integration.
Some 30 local and foreign companies are now investing in the zone with total registered capital of US$350 million covering 73 hectares of land in the fields of agriculture, construction, energy and logistics.
This information was revealed yesterday by Deputy Minister and Vice President of the Lao National Committee for Special Economic Zones (NCSEZ) MsBouathaKhattiya during the visit of President ChoummalySayasone and his delegation.
During the visit, President ChoummalySayasone and his delegation took the opportunity to se...
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- Laos seeks consultation on national development policies
- Runtime
- 2:25
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The Lao government is now seeking closer consultation and discussion with all national and international stakeholders for further improvement of the Round Table Process as part of follow-up actions of last year's roundtable meeting.
The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dr Kikeo Chanthaboury and UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Ms Kaarina Immonen.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Dr Kikeo said the meeting brought together the stakeholders of national and international sectors to discuss further development of the Round Table Process and follow up actions on previous issues discussed last year during the 12th High Level Round Table Meeting.
“I couldn't express more on its importance of a linkage between Sector Working Groups and policy dialogues at the Round Table Meeting and Round Table Implementation Meetings,” he said, noting that this year's Round Table Process Retreat will be a plat...
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- Officials seek to expand community-based drug rehab
- Runtime
- 1:59
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Treating people suffering from drug addiction at their place of residence would be a better way to care for addicts than housing them at institutional facilities because they would then enjoy the support of their families during treatment.
Officials from the National Commission for Drugs Control and Supervision (NCDC), Vientiane, the capital's neighbouring Vientiane and Borikhamxay provinces, and Ministry of Health discussed the expansion of the alternative method of treatment yesterday.
The initiative has been brought to attention after being trialed successfully during a pilot project in the capital's Sisattanak district.
Speaking at the meeting to discuss the lessons learned on community-based treatment and care services, NCDC Chairman Mr Kou Chansina reminded the audience about the government having attempted to address drug issue, after community-based treatment centres were established in Vientiane's Thongsangnang and Sisavath villages in 20...
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- Asean ministers, bank governors strengthen financial regional integration
- Runtime
- 2:00
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Financial integration, financial service access, and financial stability have been the central issues in discussions among Asean finance ministers and central bank governors at the meeting in Vientiane over the past few days.
The ministers and governors have agreed upon the direction of regional cooperation in these areas over the next ten years.
These include the Protocol to Implement the Seventh Package of Commitments on Financial Services, which the ministers adopted in principle and will be signed next month at an Asean+3 meeting in Frankfurt, Germany.
The Adoption of the Strategy Action Plan on Asean Monetary and Financial Integration Framework 2016-2025, which defined the activities of various working groups, was also concluded at the Second Asean Finance Ministers and Central Governors Meeting (AFMGM).
Lao Minister of Finance Dr Lien Thikeo said, “The adoption of the plan is significant because it is fundamental document that define...
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- New designs help silk textile conservation
- Runtime
- 5:25
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The director of Ammalinh Lao Silk uses her designs to help rural weavers in preserving Lao people’s traditional weaving while providing them with a sustainable income.
Each month, Ms Viengsouthoula Phetsanghane designs patterns to send to rural weavers according to market demand, with the products supplied to mainly domestic customers while small quantities are exported.
“Of course, if weavers have orders as well as different designs, they are able to continue to conserve their ancestors’ weaving,” said Ms Viengsouthoula, who was recently honoured as one of the excellent entrepreneurs at the 2nd Asean Women Entrepreneurs forum on March 4 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Ms Viengsouthoula said that if weavers have a permanent income, they can enjoy weaving silk textiles instead of leaving it for other jobs.
Previously, Ms Viengsouthoula lacked basic knowledge on design and her family was not in this business but she fell in love with Lao textiles after learning of ol...
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- Asean debates air transport liberalisation
- Runtime
- 2:21
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Air transport officials from Asean member states are gathering in Vientiane to discuss air transport liberisation and cooperation in the region.
The 33rd Asean Air Transport Working Group Meeting (ATWG) and related meetings opened yesterday, chaired by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport's Civil Aviation Department Director General, Mr Vanhpheng Chanthaphon.
Other participants came from the Asean Secretariat, Asean airlines and dialogue partners.
Mr Vanhpheng said in his opening speech, under the theme “Asean: A Community of Opportunities” that the Asean Economic Community or AEC came into effect on January 1, 2015.
He noted that a part of integration includes the ‘Open Skies' policy among Asean member states, which is also known as the Asean Single Aviation Market (ASAM), which aims to increase regional and domestic connectivity, integrate production networks and enhance regional trade by allowing airlines from Asean member sta...
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- Government reviews disaster risks in agriculture
- Runtime
- 2:56
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Laos suffers from natural hazards such as floods and drought that cause great damage to agriculture and the livelihoods of rural people, with the Mekong sub-region currently in the grip of a severe drought.
Climate change is also increasing the frequency and severity of these disasters. Up to 250,000 people are affected each year by agricultural disasters of various types, losing a significant part of their production and causing local food shortages.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is leading a high level review of the sector plan to reduce the risks from natural disasters, and has brought the concerned agencies together to update its approach in line with regional and international agreements.
The plan of action for agriculture aims to raise awareness, strengthen sectoral capacities and ensure an active approach to reducing risks to the 70 percent of the population of Laos that work in agriculture.
As a first step in ...
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- Experts mull decree on workplace safety
- Runtime
- 3:40
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Experts from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Federation of Trade Unions, National Chamber of Commerce, and international organisations began discussions yesterday on a draft regulation for workplace health and safety.
The initiative to create a so-called Management of Occupational Safety and Health Decree is in line with the ministry's strategy for 2016-2020 that encourages the passing of laws and regulations.
Speaking at the workshop on the decree, the ministry's Office Head Mr Khamkhanh Phinsavanh said international organisations and countries around the world pay special attention to the protection of labourers.
He noted the high number of accidents and illnesses that occur in the workplace, which result in injuries, disabilities, disease, and death.
Mr Khamkhanh referred to the International Labour Organisation, which has reported that about 5,000 people die from workplace accidents and occupational diseases each day.
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- More women gain seats in National Assembly
- Runtime
- 3:59
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The number of women voted in as members of the National Assembly (NA)'s Eighth Legislature has increased but still lags behind the target of 30 percent, with female members now comprising 27.5 percent of the legislative body.
National Election Commission (NEC) Spokesman Dr Koukeo Akkhamountry revealed yesterday that of the 149 elected members, 41 are women.
Of the total 149 members, 26.1 percent have retained their seats from the Seventh Legislature.
The National Election Commission announced the details of the new membership yesterday following the March 20 nationwide election.
Of the 210 candidates who contested the election, 61 were from government agencies at the central level and 48 were members of the National Assembly's previous legislature. Four of the candidates worked for state enterprises, and nine for private companies.
Two of the four candidates from state enterprises and six of the nine candidates from priva...
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- Laos to upgrade air traffic services
- Runtime
- 2:42
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- In line with government plans and the standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Laos is planning to update air traffic services in many respects.
This includes air traffic controllers' training, upgrading navigation aids and aviation meteorological aids, revising and publishing regulations and operational manuals, as well as improving coordination with states in the sub-region which include Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
This was the main message delivered by the Director General of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport's Department of Civil Aviation, Mr Vanhpheng Chanthaphone during the 5th Mekong Air Traffic Management (ATM) Coordination Group Meeting held in Vientiane from March 24-26.
“This meeting is a continuation of the previous Mekong ATM meeting which was held last year in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where important developments in airspace and air traffic management enhancement within ...
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- Development partners provide 750,000 textbooks for schoolchildren
- Runtime
- 1:38
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The Ministry of Education and Sports, Australian government, European Union (EU) and UNICEF Laos have partnered to provide 750,000 textbooks for Lao schoolchildren. Read more http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/
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- Asean defence personnel call for closer cooperation
- Runtime
- 2:40
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- A vision for politics and security in the region, tackling non-military threats and challenges, and maintaining cooperation in national defence were tabled for discussion at the Track II 9th Network of Asean Defence and Security Institutions (NADI) meeting which opened in Vientiane yesterday.
Delegates from Asean countries are attending the meeting, which continues today. The annual meeting comes under Laos' chairmanship of Asean in 2016.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Defence's Department of Military Science and History, Colonel Soulivanh Sengchanh, said the NADI meeting was significant because it was the first to be held since the Asean Community came into being.
He said Asean countries were together implementing the Asean Community Vision 2025, especially the Asean Political-Security Community Blueprint and Asean Community Blueprint, which showed that the people of Asean and the Asean member states could l...
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- Vientiane Furniture Fair now open.
- Runtime
- 3:16
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The Lao Furniture Association (LFA) is expecting large crowds to visit the annual Vientiane Furniture Fair in the 10 days from March 23 to April 1 at the Vientiane Centre.
The fair was officially ope ned yesterday and attended by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Khambounnat Xayanon, and Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Mr Sisavath Thiravong.
Also present were Sisattanak district governor, Mr Phokham Sayasone, Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department Director General, Mr Berlin Phetchantharath, and representatives from the governmen t and private sectors.
A total of 25 business units, of which four units were from other provinces, have brought their furniture and wood products for display and sale at the event, Vice President of the LFA Mr Kongmala Phommalay said at the ceremony.
The value of the products on display and sale is about 5-10 billion kip, with a total of 65 booths, he said.
Th...
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- Laos contributes to fight against global warming
- Runtime
- 2:52
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Laos has responded to the issue of global warming by reducing slash-and-burn cultivation, pursuing food security, and improving sanitation countrywide.
Director General of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Mr Khanmany Khounphonh, highlighted these points yesterday when speaking to Vientiane Times on the occasion of the 66th World Meteorology Day.
“An obvious response to the issue of global warming is forest protection through the government's policy to end slash-and-burn cultivation,” Mr Khanmany said. In addition, the government is trying to increase forest cover, aiming for 65 percent coverage by 2015 and 70 percent by 2020. As of 2010, about 40 percent of the country's surface area was forested.
The government is also seeking to use alternative energy with streetlights using solar cell power generators installed on some main roads in Vientiane and the provinces. Surveys on the possibility of using wind power to generate electrici...
- Title
- Borikhamxay, Khammuan get set to improve visitor experience
- Runtime
- 1:17
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Better management of tourist sites in Borikhamxay province is required to improve the experience and make access more convenient for visitors, local tourism operators noted yesterday.
This was the opinion expressed by two popular tour operators, EXO Travel Laos and Green Discovery, who participated in an official survey trip to Borikhamxay and Khammuan provinces from March 21-23.
The survey was supported by the government of New Zealand through the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism under the Tourism Activity Promotion in Laos Project.
Under this project, conservation activities are undertaken with the involvement of local people, with the aim of encouraging stable tourism in each area.
The first day of the visit included riding in boats made from alloy bomb casings left over from the Indochina War, at Vang Nam Yen (Blue Lake) near Thabak village. The team also watched textiles being woven in Napavan, Phontan and Pakha villa...
- Title
- Vientiane Fashion Week collections wow audiences
- Runtime
- 3:39
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Vientiane Wow Fashion Week 2016 ended on Sunday with a huge round of applause from both Lao and Thai designers who exhibited their collections on the catwalk.
The show at the ITECC Mall got under way after a speech by the Chief Executive of Wow Magazine Society and Vientiane Wow Fashion organiser Mr Suwat Tessalee in which he lauded the much anticipated two-day fashion event.
He noted that this was the third year that Wow Fashion Week had been staged and this year the name had been changed to Vientiane Wow Fashion Week. The show featured collections from eight Lao and Thai designers in a programme that featured 20 fashion displays.
This year's event was well supported by the Lao government, with officials keen to promote development in the field of fashion and strengthen links between Lao and Thai designers.
Mr Suwat said he never thought the fashion event would prove to be so popular with Lao and Thai designers as well as celebrities...
- Title
- Asean members debate competition issues
- Runtime
- 3:37
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The 17th Asean Expert Group on Competition opened yesterday in Vientiane with discussion on aspects of competition, especially the Asean Competition Action Plan and its five-year implementation schedule.
The three-day meeting was attended by more than 30 representatives of authorities and agencies responsible for competition policies from the 10 Asean member states and the Asean Secretariat.
It was chaired by Mr Khouanchay Iemsouthi, Deputy Director General of the Domestic Trade Department under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce as well as the Chairman of AEGC for 2016.
The AEGC is an official body comprising representatives from the competition authorities and agencies responsible for competition policy in Asean member states. It coordinates competition policies in Asean.
Implementation of the tasks and activities relating to competition policy, as targeted for delivery under the Asean Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint and AEGC ...
- Title
- Laos' economy will grow along with its neighbours, expert says
- Runtime
- 2:39
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Laos has much to do in terms of improving regulations and eliminating tariffs to ensure the country enjoys socio-economic growth in the coming years, according to a Vietnamese lecturer.
Delivering a lecture on ‘key essentials to compete and benefit from the AEC', President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences Prof. Dr Nguyen Xuan Thang said Laos, along with Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam, has a five year plan in place that will cut tariffs to zero percent.
“Our four countries will do a lot of things to ensure we match the standards and systems of other Asean state members, especially in terms of improving regulations in each country,” he said, noting that changes to the regulations would also depend on the AEC Blueprint.
He also praised the impressive growth of the Asean economy last year which he said was obviously booming, especially in Myanmar and Laos.
Asean has broad markets in the areas of tourism, goods, labour and se...
- Title
- Govt leaders thank veterans for wartime valiance
- Runtime
- 3:16
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- A tragedy occurred on March 21, 1946, in the town of Thakhaek when foreign aggressors brutally killed a large number of people, but this did not weaken the courage and patriotism of the Lao people - instead, it aroused their anger to new heights.
This was the graphic statement made by Party Secretary General Bounnhang Vorachit at a meeting held in Vientiane yesterday to mark the 70th anniversary of National Disability and Sacrifice Day.
President Choummaly Sayasone, Mr Bounnhang and other high-ranking Party and government officials, disabled veterans and civil servants attended the meeting.
Mr Bounnhang recalled the cruel actions of the French when they mercilessly attacked the town of Thakhaek in Khammuan province.
They viciously killed people by knifing them in the stomach or bayoneting them, throwing them into bore wells, packing them alive in bags and throwing them into the Mekong River, putting them into huge mortars and pounding them t...
- Title
- The 8th National Assembly Election
- Runtime
- 2:40
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The 8th National Assembly Election
- Title
- Lao satellite should help with low cost services
- Runtime
- 0:41
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Officials from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication recently replied to questions among members of the public asking about the potential benefits for them after the first Lao satellite was launched into space a few months ago.
The Department of Telecommunications under the ministry said there were various things that Lao people would benefit from after the satellite launch and the most important is they would like society to utilise its service systems.
About four months after the launching LaoSAT-1 satellite, there were a lot of comments from members of the public asking the government side whether they would benefit from the cheaper cost of internet services in Laos.
Then Vientiane Times brought the questions to the ministry last week.
Director General of the Lao Satellite project under the Telecommunications Department Dr Phouluang Kanolath, who is a representative of the government side, answered that now that Laos has its ...
- Title
- Female artists display their imaginations
- Runtime
- 2:21
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The Women's Union at the National Institute of Fine Arts opened an exhibition on Friday to display works produced by artists wi th the theme “women's imaginations”.
The 10th fine arts exhibition by women and girls saw the return of an annual event held every year by the institute since it was founded 10 years ago, which has attracted widespread interest and provided a rare opportunity for Vientiane art lovers.
The gallery exhibit serves to show the different points of view expressed by female artists on canvas and publicise the talents and abilities of women in general.
The event was organised by the National Institute of Fine Arts in cooperation with all the related sectors and material support from various domestic and international organisations in Laos.
President of the Lao Women's Union at the National Institute of Fine Arts, Ms Vanthavy Thavongxay spoke at the official opening of the exhibition.
She reported that it fe...
- Title
- 4000 islands tourism
- Runtime
- 1:46
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- 4000 islands tourism
- Title
- Laos, Vietnam celebrate border demarcation, maintenance project completion
- Runtime
- 3:27
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The governments of Laos and Vietnam yesterday marked the completion of the border demarcation and maintenance of border markers project at a ceremony held in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong led a high-level Lao delegation at the event, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Lao Prime Minister and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung congratulated each other on the completion of the project, which has been ongoing for several years.
During the ceremony, the two governments signed two documents comprising a Sub-agreement on Borderline and Border Markers, and an Agreement on Border and Border Checkpoint Management.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun Sisoulith and his Vietnamese counterpart Ph?m Bình Minh signed the documents, witnessed by the two prime ministers.
From 2008-2014, the Lao and Vietnamese governments oversaw a project to install bor...
- Title
- Central Bank To Combat Financial Crimes
- Runtime
- 1:08
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Central Bank To Combat Financial Crimes
- Title
- UXO sector achieves new clearance milestone
- Runtime
- 4:19
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The year 2015 was a year of significant progress and innovation for the UXO sector in Laos, thanks to a new evidence-based survey method.
The unexploded ordnance (UXO) sector, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), adopted a new evidence-based UXO survey approach in 2015.
The sector has seen a considerable increase in the number of cluster munitions cleared per hectare of land; from fewer than seven UXO per hectare in 2014 to more than 22 UXO per hectare in 2015.
The new survey approach entails consultation with communities to identify all known UXO in and around villages, followed by technical surveys to establish the extent of each confirmed hazardous area, which is then entered into the national database and prioritised for clearance.
The approach will help the Lao government to establish a national baseline of contamination, which in turn will enable better planning for UXO clearance nationally. Clearing the...
- Title
- IMF chief praises Laos, warns of challenges ahead
- Runtime
- 2:37
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde has lauded Laos’ economic achievements while cautioning that more work is needed to consolidate stability as the nation transitions from low-income country status.
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde paid her first visit to Laos this week aiming to enhance cooperation between the IMF and Laos in relation to macro-economic management.
Ms Lagarde is believed to be the first IMF chief to visit Laos since the country joined the International Monetary Fund in 1961.
She arrived in Vientiane on Monday and met top level leaders on Tuesday to discuss cooperation between the IMF and Laos.
Talks were held with President Choummaly Sayasone, Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, and other high-ranking officials.
Ms Lagarde issued the following statement at the conclusion of her visit to Laos, saying the IMF complimented government officials on their important economic achievements including ...
- Title
- Minister tours provinces to promote election campaign
- Runtime
- 1:55
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara visited the National Assembly election campaign in the provinces of Borikhamxay and Vientiane last week to explain the significance of the election.
During his visit, Prof. Dr Bosengkham assured voters that candidates standing for election to the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies in the two provinces were ready and able to represent them.
The minister visited three districts in Borikhamxay province, namely Borikhan, Pakxan and Thaphabath, as well as four districts in Vientiane province, those being Phonhong, Keo-Oudom, Hinheup and Thoulakhom.
He called on the authorities to support the election campaign and to make sure that all voters aged 18 and above were aware of their rights and would vote in the election, asking officials to circulate information in remote areas.
The minister is now promoting the election campaign among residents in the various d...
- Title
- Asean defence chiefs vow to deepen ties for regional security
- Runtime
- 3:07
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- Asean chiefs of defence forces, who convened in Vientiane yesterday, agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation in the field of defence among the 10 Asean member states to promote security in the region.
The chiefs of Asean's defence forces reached the agreement in their joint statement following their 13th informal meeting.
Their continuing cooperation, they said in the joint statement, is based on the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, consensus-decision making, participation on the basis of a flexible, voluntary and non-binding nature, assets remaining under national command and control and at a pace comfortable to all. This would promote mutual trust, confidence and capacities in addressing regional non-traditional security challenges in an effective and timely manner.
The Asean defence chiefs acknowledged the complexity of non-traditional security challenges including natural and man-made disasters, climate change, tr...
- Title
- Lao bank staff gain insight into crime prevention
- Runtime
- 2:59
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- L
ao banking personnel
and other government
officials learnt
more about crime
prevention, safe payment
methods and monetary issues
at a talk on advanced banking
technologies given by BPC
Banking Technologies on
Friday.
The talk was organised by
the Information Technology
Department of the Bank
of the Lao PDR (BOL) in
collaboration with BPC
Banking Technologies, an
experienced provider of open-
systems electronic payment
solutions.
The objective of the talk was
to inform banking personnel
and other government officials
about crime prevention in
banking, as well as introduce
safe payment solutions.
BPC Banking Technologies
explained its SmartVista
system, a complete suite of
fully integrated, end-to-end
payments that deters criminals.
Director General of BOL’s
Informatio...
- Title
- Ensuring satellite benefits a challenge for Laos
- Runtime
- 1:46
- Date posted
- 11 years ago
- Description
- The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has noted that the biggest challenge for Laos' first satellite is to ensure it can gain as much benefit from the space asset as it can after LaoSAT1 was handed over to the government.
Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Mr Hiem Phommachanh represented the Lao government to receive LaoSAT-1's In-Orbit Delivery and witness the opening of the Lao Asia-Pacific Satellite Company Limited.
The minister stressed the importance of gaining the maximum benefits for the country from the satellite.
“In particular, in the economic sense, how can we make profits in order to pay off the loan and save to buy a new satellite after the old one expires in 15 years' time,” Mr Hiem said.
The minister added that the satellite business is new for Laos but the government has confidence in the satellite partnership company ‘Lao Asia-Pacific Satellite Company Limited.'
Although the government...
