Euler Hermes, an Allianz company, has released a brief country economic report on Laos. The following is an excerpt from the report:
Dietician to Offer Free Workshop on Healthy Diets for Children
Vientiane – Nutritional expert, Ulla Bahne, will offer a free workshop for parents and community members who are interested in creating a healthy diet for their young children at Panyathip’s Nonsavanh campus on Saturday, January 20th.
The event which is open to the public is part of a continuing series hosted by the Parenting Community, a service offered by Panyathip International School at Nonsavanh. In this workshop, Bahne, a qualified clinical dietician from Denmark, provides useful information on what is needed for both physical development and mental alertness.
A family picnic follows the lecture and discussion on children’s nutritional needs. The presentation is delivered in English with Lao translation.
“This is a fun activity that allows both children and parents to learn,” says Bahne, who has more than 10 years experience with Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden and the Danisk Heart Association in Copenhagen, Denmark. “There are many healthy food options available in Laos which we will explore.”
Bahne, who has two daughters of her own, recently moved to Vientiane in October and has sought out opportunities to engage with the community and improve public health. In addition to volunteerism, she is an avid reader and enjoys running to stay fit.
“We are thrilled to have such a qualified speaker join our parenting community,” says Greg Dolezal, head of school at PIS-Nonsavanh. “We are always lucky in Vientiane when professionals show such a strong desire to share their talents.”
The workshop focuses on foods and drinks that are needed for strong healthy bone and tissue growth as well as cognitive development. The discussion will address food groups and recommended daily allowances for children to consume as well as staples for a healthy diet that are readily available.
For parents in need of childcare during the workshop, the school will provide fun educational activities for children supervised by Panyathip teachers. Later children can join their parents for the family picnic.
“The parenting community is really about empowering families to give the best environment for their children,” says Natalie Taylor, who envisioned the workshop series. “That’s why we open the event to everyone and provide childcare to give parents the chance to engage.”
The event is this Saturday, January 20th, from 9am to 11am at Panyathip’s Nonsavan campus. More information can be found on the parenting community website.
United States Contributes to UXO Clearance in Laos
Last week, the United States Government handed over vehicles and field equipment worth USD $1.25 million to the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme. Some 15 Toyota Landcruisers, 150 UXO detectors and other equipment will be given to the UXO clearance teams in the southern Lao provinces of Khammuan, Savannakhet and Attapeu to prevent local residents from being injured, disabled or killed.
The supplies were handed over at a ceremony held last week and were graced by the attendance of U.S. Ambassador to Laos Rena Bitter and Khamkeo Sanbounkhounxay, Lao Vice Minister of Labor and Social Welfare.
“Today’s contribution to UXO Lao is part of the United States’ commitment of USD 90 million over three years to fund a national cluster munitions survey, in addition to ongoing clearance of UXO,” said Ambassador Bitter.
“Unexploded ordnance continues to affect Laos. Over the years, thousands of people, usually rural people and their children, have been killed or injured by suddenly exploded UXO,” Vice Minister Khamkeo said.
“Since 1990, the U.S. government has granted more than USD $135 million for UXO clearance and surveys, to help the victims of UXO-related accidents, and provide information about the risks of unexploded ordnance,” Khamkeo added.
According to the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme, in over 20 years of the programme’s implementation, more than 380 square kilometers of land have been cleared for safe use, enabling schools, water supplies and roads to be built.
More than 1,480,000 items of unexploded ordnance were destroyed from 1996-2016 in Laos.
In 2016 a total of 67,166 UXO items were destroyed by the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme’s clearance operations.
According to statistics from Lao authorities, from 1965 to 1973, the United States dropped some two million tons of ordinance on Laos during the Vietnam War, including 2.7 million cluster bombs which are designed to break apart and release a payload of smaller bombs. As many as 30 percent of these bombs did not explode.
Laos is the most heavily bombed country in the world per capita. Over the years, thousands of Lao people have been killed or injured, usually farmers tending their fields and children playing.
Source: Vientiane Times, US Embassy Vientiane, Infosurhoy
Photos: US Embassy Vientiane Facebook Page
Laos and Cambodia to Increase Defense Cooperation
Laos and Cambodia have pledged to boost security and stability between the two countries, and prevent military confrontations along their shared border.
Cambodian Defense Minister General Tea Banh made an official visit to Laos this week, and was received by Lao Minister of Defense, Lt. Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath.
During talks, the two ministers vowed to bring unity and cooperation between the two countries and their respective armed forces. A special mention was made of the border area in Stung Treng Province in Cambodia, and Attapeu Province in Laos, where Cambodian troops were mobilized last year after a misunderstanding led to military tensions.
A disagreement over roads being built in border areas ignited the military flare-up, which culminated in peace talks between the prime ministers of Laos and Cambodia on August 12 last year.
Now, the two countries’ militaries are looking forward to closer ties and peaceful resolution of any further disputes.
Official demarcation between the two nations has not yet been fully completed, and tiffs over border locations have been common in the past.
Source: Kongthap Pasason Lao
Photo: Khmer Times
Fuel Prices Rise Starting 16 January
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) has issued a notice to all fuel providers across the country of a price hike in fuel prices. The following new prices shall be in effect starting 6:00am, 16 January (Tuesday):
Big Blue Wins Billboard Contract for Visit Laos Year 2018
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MOICT) has recently signed an agreement with Big Blue Advertising Agency awarding them the preferred rights to setup all billboards related to the Visit Laos Year 2018 Campaign. A ceremony was held during which Mr Soun Manivong, Director General of the Tourism Promotion Department (MOICT) and Mr Santhalack Chaasane, President of Big Blue Advertising Agency and Mr Savanhkhone Razmountry, Vice Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture were in attendance.
“This signing ceremony is particularly meaningful in that the Ministry has chosen leading company Big Blue Advertising Agency as the preferred supplier/contractor of all billboards related to the Visit Laos Year 2018,” says Soun Manivong.
A total of 50 billboards will be installed across the country, especially in high traffic areas such as international border checkpoints, international airports, urban centers, and famous tourist destinations. The billboards are expected to be complete by February.
Additionally, Big Blue Advertising Agency will contribute 232 million kip in advertising and media value (approximately USD $28,000) to the Visit Laos 2018 Campaign to assist in the promotion of Laos as a tourist destination.

Avani Hotels & Resorts Launches First Hotel in Luang Prabang
Avani Hotels & Resorts will launch its first branch in Luang Prabang, through its acquisition of the Azerai Hotel, the rebranding of which is expected to be completed by March 2018.
This 53-room hotel is located on a narrow peninsula at the joining of the Khan and Mekong Rivers, whose French neo-classical architectural design resembles the style of the grand villas found in Luang Prabang. The guest rooms offer an open plan living experience with French-styled louvered wooden doors that open out to a balcony overlooking either the pool or a private courtyard. The interior design draws inspiration from its colonial French heritage, yet the design approach is modern, functional and elegant.
The Avanispa offers two single and two double treatment rooms with a communal relaxation area. The spa adopts a straightforward yet individual approach to wellness.
Problematic body zones will be assessed and a treatment recommended, chosen from one of four results-driven options; Boost, Balance, Calm and Purify.
An outdoor, covered sixty square metre Pavilion provides a multi-use space, ideal for small wedding ceremonies, social events and casual meetings.
The hotel is situated on the doorstep of the famous night market where guests will find locally made appliqué blankets, Hmong batik fabrics, lamps, wall hangings, silver jewellery and unusual paper.
“Luang Prabang has long been a bucket-listed destination for travellers throughout Southeast Asia with its ancient temples, beautiful French UNESCO listed architecture and stunning riverside scenery,” said Avani Group Vice President of Operations, Alejandro Bernabe.

“Plus with the recently launched Mekong Kingdom Cruises, that offer day trips or overnight cruises to the resort from Thailand, the new hotel is a welcome addition to the Avani brand.”
Source: Breaking Travel News
Feasibility Study for Vientiane-Paksé Expressway Needed

In line with the government’s development policy of transforming Laos into a landlinked, service hub through investing in the road network infrastructure, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport is currently seeking a firm to perform a study on the feasibility of an expressway from Vientiane to Paksé.
According to project experts, the aforementioned expressway would consist of the following road sections:
Phase 1: Paksane (Vientiane-Hanoi intersection) – Thakhaek (Road No. 12 Intersection) (164km)
Phase 2: Thakhaek (Road No. 12 Intersection) – Savannakhet (Road No. 9 Intersection) (117km)
Phase 3: Savannakhet (Road No. 9 Intersection) – Salavanh (Road No. 18 Intersection) (128km)
Phase 4: Salavanh (Road No. 18 Intersection) – Paksé (82km)
It has been reported that several companies have submitted letters of interest to the Public Works and Transport Ministry for this project and the latter is confident that one company will be chosen to perform the study by this year.