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Laos, South Korea Collaborate on Direct Flight Initiative to Boost Tourism, Economic Ties

Laos is considering the introduction of direct flights from South Korea to Luang Prabang as part of the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP). This initiative aims to boost tourism and strengthen economic ties between the two nations. At a seminar held in Vientiane on 3 September, Lao and Korean officials reviewed the progress on the KSP project, known as Luang Prabang International Airspace and Flight Procedure Improvement.  Funded by the Korean government, the project focuses on modernizing the airport’s infrastructure, enhancing air transport safety, and creating new opportunities for tourism in Laos. During the meeting, Korean companies involved in the project presented their plans for the second year, including further design work and...

Economy

Laos, South Korea Collaborate on Direct Flight Initiative to Boost Tourism, Economic Ties

Laos is considering the introduction of direct flights from South Korea to Luang Prabang as part of the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP). This initiative aims to boost tourism and...

Okard Launches Inclusive Internship Program for Persons with Disabilities

World Education and the Department of Policy for Devotees, Persons with Disabilities, and Older Persons (part of the Secretariat of the National Committee for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD)) at...

Bolikhamxay Province Faces Urgent Teacher Shortage

Bolikhamxay Province is facing a critical shortage of teachers, with a need for 413 more educators: 30 for kindergartens, 85 for elementary schools, and 298 for secondary schools. Prophet Kunnavong,...

Laos Joins School Meals Coalition

Laos has officially joined the School Meals Coalition, a global alliance focused on advancing child nutrition, education, and well-being through comprehensive school meal programs. The announcement was made on...

Nam Theun 2 Development Fund Expands to Benefit More Districts

The Nam Theun 2 Development Fund (NT2DF) is set to expand its reach beyond Nakai’s resettled villages, bringing the transformative projects to the entire district and soon to neighboring...

Prime Minister Urges Education Reform, Accountability for New School Year

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has called for reforms in the country’s education system as the new school year commenced on 2 September. In his address, the Prime Minister...

Travel

Thai Prime Minister Propels ‘Four Countries, One Destination’ Tourism Initiative

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin presented an ambitious vision for Southeast Asian nations to function as one tourist destination during the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on 17 January. Srettha proposed the vision of "Seamless ASEAN," responding to inquiries about the region’s future over the next five to 10 years. The initiative will allow all ten member countries to maintain their individual advantages while facilitating free movement for foreign investors and tourists across the region. To proceed with this ambitious vision, the proposed framework will aim for a comprehensive agreement involving harmonized tax incentives, visa-free cross-border movements, and a level playing field to stimulate economic growth and tourism. Drawing similarities with Europe's Schengen...

Laos Extends Visa Exemptions to Boost Visit Laos Year 2024

ARTICLE UPDATED ON 27 JUNE, 2024 AT 4:04 PM To bolster tourism in the second half of Visit Laos Year 2024, the Lao government is set to introduce a new policy granting free visas...

Luang Prabang Takes Stand Against Non-Compliant Signs to Improve City’s Appearance

In recent months, the Information, Culture, and Tourism Office in Luang Prabang has been actively taking steps to remove illegal advertising signs from the city.  The authorities have been inspecting and removing signs that...

Health & Environment

Laos Joins School Meals Coalition

Laos has officially joined the School Meals Coalition, a global alliance focused on advancing child nutrition, education, and well-being through comprehensive school meal programs. The announcement was made on 4 September in Vientiane during an event attended by key figures including Minister of Education and Sports Phout Simmalavong and French Ambassador Siv-Leng Chhuor. The School Meals Coalition, now comprising 101 countries, aims to ensure that every child has access to a nutritious meal at school by 2030. This initiative supports...

Sport

Labdork Badminton Academy Triumphs at 23rd Beerlao Championship

The 23rd Beerlao Badminton Championship concluded in Vientiane on 25 August, with the Labdok Badminton Academy emerging victorious once again. The Academy clinched five gold medals across various events, maintaining their title from...

Laos to Establish Tug-of-War as National Sport Under New Leadership

Laos’ Tug-of-War Federation is set to revive the sport under new leadership, with plans to elevate it nationally and increase its regional presence in the coming year. At a press conference on 6 August,...

Politics

Laos, South Korea Collaborate on Direct Flight Initiative to Boost Tourism, Economic Ties

Laos is considering the introduction of direct flights from South Korea to Luang Prabang as part of the Knowledge...

OP-ED: China, Hong Kong’s Strategic Investments in Laos Usher in a New Era of Economic Collaboration

Op-Ed by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)  In the post-COVID era, Chinese investment in Laos has surged dramatically,...

Monsoon Wind Power Project in Laos to Start Ahead of Schedule

The 600 MW Monsoon wind power project in Laos is set to start trial operations in late December, two...

MAG Receives Funding to Expand UXO Clearance in Khammouane, Laos

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) has secured over USD 800,000 from the Freeman Foundation and Restoration Laos to fund...

Feature

OP-ED: China, Hong Kong’s Strategic Investments in Laos Usher in a New Era of Economic Collaboration

Op-Ed by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)  In the post-COVID era, Chinese investment in Laos has surged dramatically, positioning China to overtake Thailand as Laos’ top trading partner. According to the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment, Chinese companies invested in 17 projects worth USD 986 million in Laos in 2023, a massive increase from the USD 339 million across 30 projects in 2022. This tripling of investments reflects China’s strategic economic ambitions and its long-term plan to deepen ties with Laos under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The most prominent symbol of this partnership is the USD 6 billion China-Laos railway, which became operational in December 2021. This joint venture, set to extend into Thailand, will create a direct link from Kunming, China, to the southernmost parts of mainland Southeast Asia – Malaysia and Singapore – thus enhancing regional connectivity and solidifying China’s influence in the region. The railway is part of China's broader expansion strategy to establish a seamless trade corridor through Laos to other ASEAN nations. In addition to China's investments, Hong Kong has emerged as a vital partner in Laos’ economic development, focusing on digital...

Laos, South Korea Collaborate on Direct Flight Initiative to Boost Tourism, Economic Ties

Laos is considering the introduction of direct flights from...

Monsoon Wind Power Project in Laos to Start Ahead of Schedule

The 600 MW Monsoon wind power project in Laos...

MAG Receives Funding to Expand UXO Clearance in Khammouane, Laos

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) has secured over USD...

Joint Organ Transplant Surgery Marks Milestone in Laos’s Healthcare

On 23 August, a landmark organ transplant surgery was...

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