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Laos to Ship 20,000 Tonnes of Organic Rice to China

Chinese premier Li Keqiang has approved an order for 20,000 tonnes of genuine organic rice to be delivered to China from Laos.

During a meeting with Khong district authorities in Champassak last week, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith informed officials that although the Chinese prime minister had mentioned  that 20,000 tonnes of rice is a significantly small quantity for China, Lao officials and farmers will have to work hard to produce this amount of organic rice for shipment.

“Laos will need to deliver 20,000 tonnes of genuine organic rice to China. The shipment must not contain non organic rice,”  Prime Minister Thongloun stated.    

4,000 tonnes of sticky rice and non glutinous rice have already been delivered to China, and though the order was originally only for  8,000 tonnes, China has increased its shipment  to 20,000 tonnes.   

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, as of October of last year the only rice mill that was able to produce rice of sufficient quality to meet the standard required by Chinese buyers, was IDP Rice Mill in Savannakhet province.

Although rice mills in Laos are abundant and produce good quality rice, most are inefficient and fail to meet international exporting standards.  Rice mills must maintain high standards if they hope to export large amounts of rice internationally. Mills that use low quality methods will need to improve their operations and the machinery they use. Based on a nationwide survey, only the IDP Rice Mill has been able to meet Chinese standards.

In an effort to increase crop yields for food security and commercial gain, the government is continuing to build more irrigation systems using its own budget and low-interest loans. Higher yields are helping to contribute significantly to socio-economic development and poverty reduction.

More than 778,000 hectares of wet season rice and over 126,600 hectares of dry season rice are grown annually in Laos.

However, about 226,000 hectares of rice fields in flatland areas are totally dependent on rainfall because irrigation channels have not yet been built in those areas.

Lao grown rice is favored in China due to its pure white grains, softness and the pleasant aroma.

NRA Aims to Clear UXO From 50,000 Hectares

The National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for the UXO/Mine Action segment has set an objective to clear and eradicate unexploded ordnances on 53,737 hectares of land from 2017-2021.

The target was announced at Wednesday’s 2018 work design meeting on the prioritization of UXO surveys, clearance, mine risk education and victim assistance.

The meeting was attended by NRA Director General, Mr Phoukhieo Chanthasomboun, and government authorities from Vientiane and other provinces.

NRA Deputy Director, Mr Bounpheng Sisawath stated that 3,860 villages require UXO reviews and more than 53,737 hectares of land still need to be cleared of potentially active devices.

UXO surveys and clearance are currently in progress in Borikhamxay, Xaysomboun, Huaphan, Xieng Khuang, Luang Prabang, Khammuan, Savannakhet, Saravan, Xekong, Attapeu and Champassak provinces.

The coming year will see further UXO clearance, roving, surveys, community awareness programmes, and risk education in target provinces, while assistance will be available to victims in UXO-related accidents.

The NRA has reported that clearance teams have worked with international organizations in an effort to clear cluster munitions and other devices on 49,619 hectares of land in 15 provinces. This includes 38,391 hectares of agricultural land and 11,228 hectares of land required for development.

An estimated 1,288,974 cluster munitions have been cleared, in addition to more than 4,200 larger bombs, 646,044 bombies, 2,218 mines, and 636,536 other lethal devices.

The presence of unexploded ordnance slows development in the fields of agriculture, forestry, mining, tourism, hydro-electric power, transport, education and health.

One of the major obstacles for the government is sourcing funds for clearance operations. The NRA must continue to mobilize funds because the budget allocated to victim assistance is very limited at present.

UXO is an obstacle for economic and social development, contaminating land that could otherwise be used for the development of agriculture, industry, tourism and the construction of infrastructure.

During the Indochina War from 1964-1973, over 3 million tonnes of ordnance were dropped from enemy aircrafts on Laos, including 270 million cluster bombs and 4 million significantly larger bombs.

Tests conducted in the United States have found that cluster munitions have a failure rate of up to 30 percent, meaning a large amount of unexploded devices still remain in Laos.

A total of 87,000 square kilometres of land are thought to still be contaminated with UXO.

Inspector Calls for Support on Anti-Corruption Measures

In response to enquiries from National Assembly (NA) members regarding the performance of GIA over the past year, President of the Government Inspection Authority (GIA), Dr Bounthong Chitmany, has urged tougher measures against violations of planning and financial discipline in order to prevent further losses to the nation.

At the NA session held this past week, Dr Bounthong mentioned the 100 projects that were discovered to to have begun in 2015/16 without proper assessment and the estimated 120 projects that were executed without National Assembly approval.

“We want to stress on this point where Departments of Planning and Investment at the provincial level and Ministry of Planning and Investment at central level must be active in addressing this,” Dr Bounthong said. Adding, “If we don’t follow the procedures, further problems will be created for the nation.”

Over 113 implemented projects did not pass a tender bidding process, and although 106 projects were approved, the following procedures were not .

The inspector also proposed, in the presence of Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, for implementation of unapproved projects to no longer be allowed noting that if violations were found, the inspections would take legal action against the responsible officials who authorized the projects.

“This is our Government Inspection Authority decision to solve the problem,” Dr Bounthong added.

As an immediate solution, GIA suggested inspecting all unapproved projects and classifying them while postponing those which are deemed ineffective and unnecessary. The postponement would focus primarily on projects currently being implemented.

The State Audit Organisation audited 118 projects in 2013/14 and 2014/15. These projects were conducted without initial approval by the National Assembly but the legislative body approved them later year by year, and only 24 projects have yet to be approved.

GIA proposed for a review of project costs compared against base rates defined by the related ministry. If the costs are found to be higher than the base rates, GIA suggested a renegotiation of an appropriate cost while identifying the actual quantity of work and project quality before submitting for re-payment approval.

Dr Bounthong also reminded NA members about the resolution made at the second ordinary session of the NA’s Seventh Legislature (NA Resolution No. 04 Dated December 21, 2011), which states that the National Assembly would not approve projects which began implementation after December 31, 2012.

Additionally, Prime Ministerial Order No.16 dated April 18, 2013, states that the government will not pay for any unauthorized investment projects.

First Holiday Inn to Enter Laos 2019

With construction slated to be completed by 2019, the first Holiday Inn will be opening up its doors in Laos for the very first time.  

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and BIM Group’s Crowne Plaza Vientiane signed a contract on October 19th solidifying the deal on the internationally recognized American hotel chain.

Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane will be IHG’s third project with BIM Group, who also owns the upcoming Inter Continental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort & Residences.

Commenting on the partnership, Rajit Sukumaran, Chief Development Officer, Asia Middle East Africa, IHG stated “the country’s growing prominence as a business and tourism destination is in line with our strategic expansion plans in Laos, which include Crowne Plaza Vientiane, the first internationally branded upscale hotel in Vientiane, and the upcoming Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane. With the excellent experience we’ve had working with our partner, BIM Group, we are excited to continue this relationship, bringing our mid-scale offerings to the Lao capital with the debut of our trusted Holiday Inn brand.”

Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane will include 250 rooms, 50 of which will be long-stay suites, and will be part of a mixed-use development, consisting of the existing Crowne Plaza Vientiane, office towers and a retail shopping complex.

With a selection of lifestyle offerings within the multi-use complex, guests will be able to enjoy shopping and dining options, take a short stroll to downtown Vientiane, or explore key tourist attractions located nearby, such as the night market along the Mekong River.

Holiday Inn & Suites Vientiane will be equipped with versatile function spaces for meetings, receptions and events, including a large ballroom capable of seating more than 1,000 people.

The Holiday Inn brand has a strong presence in the region with 23 hotels and resorts in Southeast Asia, including six in Indonesia, three in Malaysia, two in the Philippines, two in Singapore and 10 in Thailand.

Progressively over the next five years, IHG will almost double its Holiday Inn presence across the region with an additional 20 hotels.

Laos has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing nations in Southeast Asia, with up to 8 per cent GDP growth over the past few years. In addition to infrastructural and industrial developments that are set to boost economic growth and attract foreign investment, there is also a strong upward trend in its tourism sector.

The Double Tree by Hilton Vientiane will soon follow after with the first of its kind opening its doors in early 2020.

Entertainment Venues Ordered to Stay 500-Meters Clear of Schools

Entertainment venues will soon be prohibited from conducting business within 500 meters of schools and educational institutions.

With the National University of Laos (NUoL) being used as a model, the Minister of Education and Sports, Ms Sengdeuan Lachanthaboun, informed parliament that certain measures are being made in an attempt to enforce the ban, with removal efforts being piloted proximate to the NUoL in Saythany district, Vientiane.

Ms Sengdeuan responded to questions raised by members of the National Assembly (NA) last week, during the ongoing 4th ordinary session of the NA’s 8th legislature in Vientiane.

Following the government’s decision to reinforce rules in maintaining an entertainment-venue-free 500-meter buffer around all educational institutes, lawmakers asked for progress on the enforced zoning restrictions nationwide,

Authorities aim to inspect all entertainment venues that are currently in violation of the regulations and relocating them at least 500 meters away from the university by December.

The meeting concluded that village authorities will survey entertainment venues including discothèques, bars, karaoke venues, snooker and games halls, massage salons, drinking or gambling venues situated within 500 meters of the university grounds.

Venues operating legally, especially those seeing considerable investments into facilities, will be required to stop selling alcohol and encouraged to convert such venues to more appropriate business models.

Those entertainment venues found operating unlawfully will be warned and ordered to shut down.  

Ms Sengdeuan said village authorities have been entrusted to educate and warn the venues’ operators to follow these measures, stating “We will hold a meeting to assess the implementation [of the measures] by this month.“

The move to relocate entertainment venues came after public complaints arose that such enterprises were being established too close to educational institutes, which may negatively influence students and encourage drinking.

Luang Prabang Film Festival Announces 2017 Lineup

The Luang Prabang Film Festival (LPFF) has announced the lineup for its eighth annual event, which will run 8-13 December 2017.

Official selections are made by experts and critics from across Southeast Asia referred to as “Motion Picture Ambassadors,” and represent a carefully chosen collection of what they believe to be the finest contemporary films from their respective countries. By identifying great curators with inside understanding of their community’s film scene, LPFF is able to produce a unique program that ensures the inclusion of the strongest voices from across Southeast Asia.

Not only is LPFF a celebration of the best of Southeast Asian cinema, but it has grown into a well-known and important forum for regional film professionals to network internationally and to exchange diverse ideas and experiences.

The feature films in the 2017 festival program are:

2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten (Philippines)
The Anniversary (Laos)
Bad Genius (Thailand)
Blood Road (Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia)
Burma Storybook (Myanmar)
By the Time it Gets Dark (Thailand)
Cemetery of Splendour (Thailand)
The Couple (Thailand)
Die Beautiful (Philippines)
Fanatic (Vietnam)
Father and Son (Vietnam)
Heart Attack (Thailand)
In Exile (Myanmar)
In My Hometown (Thailand)
The Island Funeral (Thailand)
Jailbreak (Cambodia)
Khuannang (Laos)
Legend of the Broken Sword (Thailand)
Mind Cage (Cambodia)
Motherland (Philippines)
Ordinary People (Philippines)
Railway Sleepers (Thailand)
Redha (Malaysia)
Rina 2 (Brunei and Laos)
Santi-Vina (Thailand)
Saving Sally (Philippines)
Snap (Thailand)
Turah (Indonesia)
Unlucky Plaza (Singapore)
Wandering (Thailand)
Women of the Weeping River (Philippines)
You Mean the World to Me (Malaysia)

In addition to the lineup of feature film screenings, LPFF will also have four programs of short films, including a selection from Vientianale 2017 and Viddsee’s 2017 Shortee winners.

Audiences will also be able to attend four public discussions this year, including “Protecting Films in the Age of the Internet,” “Muslim Voices of Southeast Asia,” “Financing Your Non-Fiction Film,” and a discussion on Thai cinema for the festival’s SPOTLIGHT program. Now in its third year, the SPOTLIGHT program will this year turn to Thailand, with a full day of programming devoted to screenings and discussion of Thai feature films. Kong Rithdee, LPFF’s Motion Picture Ambassador for Thailand, will act as the program’s host, leading post-screening Q&As and a public discussion. In addition to being  a filmmaker himself, Rithdee is a film critic for the Bangkok Post. Among the films screening for the SPOTLIGHT is the 1954 classic Santi-Vina, which was recently restored for a screening at Cannes Classics in 2016.

Also on offer this year is the second LPFF Talent Lab for Southeast Asian filmmakers, led by the Tribeca Film Institute® (TFI). In keeping with last year’s program, TFI representatives will lead a workshop for ten filmmakers on grant writing and project pitching. After sessions of instruction, practice, and a pitch forum with feedback given by various industry professionals, one project showing great promise will be selected by TFI to attend the TFI Network market, which will take place in New York City at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival®. There, TFI will arrange meetings for the filmmaker with editors, distributors, and financiers. TFI will then mentor him/her through the completion of the project. All participants in the Talent Lab will also receive preferential consideration for any of TFI’s grants. Aurora Media Holdings has also formally joined the Talent Lab this year, offering the Aurora Producing Award of $10,000 USD to be used as starting funds for one selected project.

A new addition to the festival’s program this year will be a documentary production workshop organized by the US Mission to ASEAN and the American Film Showcase. Renowned Filipino-American filmmaker Ramona Diaz (ImeldaDon’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey) will conduct a five-day workshop with 12 participants from the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative. By the end of the workshop, four short documentaries will have been shot and edited in small groups. Diaz will also be on hand for a Q&A with audiences at the screening of her most recent film, Motherland.

Every year, the official film selections have directors, producers, or actors in attendance who participate in numerous festival events, including post-screening Q&As at the LPFF Day Venue located at Sofitel Luang Prabang. The final list of this year’s attendees will be announced in the coming weeks.

Visitors can also enjoy a photography exhibition from Philip Jablon, who, in 2008, began his Southeast Asia Movie Theater Project, creating the single most comprehensive collection of the region’s theaters ever compiled. The photos on display at this year’s Luang Prabang Film Festival will represent a few of the theaters captured during Philip’s month-long tour of Mon State, Myanmar, undertaken in February and March of this year.

All screenings and activities of the festival are free and open to the public.

Once again, the festival is proudly supported by its biggest sponsor, the Lao Brewery Company with three of their brands coming in at the Platinum Level: Beerlao, Pepsi, and Tigerhead.

Other generous supporters of the 2017 festival are the US Embassy Vientiane, the Asia Foundation, the Bennack-Polan Foundation, Chillax Productions, Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Laos, Exo Travel, Sofitel Luang Prabang, the Nam Theun 2 Power Company, Princeton in Asia, the Royal Thai Embassy Vientiane, Indochina Productions, the Delegation of the European Union to Lao PDR, DK Lao, Theun-Hinboun Power Company, NP Service & Design, and the Asia-Europe Foundation.

To book a trip to the Luang Prabang Film Festival, please contact Exo Travel at laos@exotravel.com. As LPFF’s Official Travel Partner, Exo Travel has exclusive access to preferential rates with LPFF’s Hotel Partners, which include: Apsara, Azerai, Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao, Cold River, Kiridara, Le Sen, Lotus Villa, Luangsay Residence, Maison Souvannaphoum, Parasol Blanc, Sala Prabang, Sanakeo, Santi Villa and Resort, Satri House, Sofitel, Villa Maly, Villa Maydou. Furthermore, booking with Exo Travel directly supports LPFF, as a percentage of each booking goes back to the not-for-profit project.

For more information on the festival, visit lpfilmfest.org or stay up to date at facebook.com/lpfilmfest.
All Luang Prabang Film Festival press enquiries:
Eliza Mott: eliza.mott@lpfilmfest.org / +856 20 59 70 11 59

LPFF Background:
Founded in 2009, the Luang Prabang Film Festival (LPFF) is an annual celebration of Southeast Asian cinema held every December in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. LPFF is a not-for-profit project that fosters cross-cultural dialogue within the region and supports the burgeoning film industry in Laos. Throughout the year, LPFF organizes a range of cultural events and educational activities, from film screenings to workshops for amateur Lao filmmakers. LPFF also manages the Lao Filmmakers Fund, a publicly-generated granting system that helps local artists realize their film projects.

BCEL One Offers Alternative Way to Pay for 2017 Road Tax

The uncertainty and miscommunication regarding payment of the 2017 road tax may be coming to an end as BCEL offers to accept road tax payments through its popular online banking service, BCEL One.

A source from the bank has confirmed that as of October 30th, BCEL One app users will have the ability to pay for road tax fees conveniently through the BCEL One app. Though car owners won’t be able to avoid visiting a branch to receive the actual sticker, it may elevate bank traffic for those who have pre-paid the road tax. 

Drivers will have fees deducted directly from their BCEL account, they can then visit any bank branch, present their car registration and yellow book and walk out with the necessary road tax sticker.

Audit Uncovers Over One Trillion kip of Unauthorized Spending

Central Bank Warns over Fake Banknotes

Over one trillion kip of unauthorized state spending has been uncovered due to a 2015-2016 state budget audit.

Parliament has been notified by the state top auditor that more than one trillion kip of state spending has been spent without approval from the National Assembly (NA).

Funds had come from various sources, including revenue that state departments had collected but failed to relinquish to the state budget. Some funds were allocated for debt repayment but was spent for other purposes.  

The 2015-2016 fiscal-year budget report from the government suggested that more than 30.545 trillion kip of state expenditure, 28.12 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), was spent in the fiscal year.

However, during the NA’s ongoing ordinary session, the President of the State Auditing Organisation (SAO), Dr Viengthong Siphandone informed the National Assembly that, “the SAO found that an additional one trillion kip was spent without approval from the NA.”

Of this unauthorized spending, more than 688 billion kip was spent by central state organizations, while the remaining estimated 342 billion kip was spent by local departments. In addition, the auditors also discovered that state departments collected more than 689 billion kip of revenue which was not disclosed to the state budget as required by law. More than 516 billion kip was collected by central state departments with the remainder collected by local authorities. Money was collected from taxes, state asset fees and other sources.

The 2015-2016 fiscal-year budget report suggested that the government had collected total revenue of more than 22.287 trillion kip, which accounted for 20.52 percent of GDP.

Though Dr Viengthong did not explain what the funds were spent on, she did confirm to  lawmakers that the SAO found an additional 689 billion kip of revenue which was not passed on to the state budget. It was recommended that authorities in charge take action to claim back the revenue for the state budget.

To prevent unapproved spending in the future, the SAO President pressed on the need to fully observe financial discipline and resolutions of the NA regarding the state budget plan. In order to enable state departments to utilize money collected from their technical service fees for administration expenditure needs, Dr Viengthong recommended departments formulate plans that were accountable and seek approval from the authorities in charge.