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Laos to Export More Rice to China: PM

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Laotian Times
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Laos export rice to china

China has agreed to purchase 20,000 metric tons of organic rice per year from Laos, according to a statement by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.

Approximately 4,000 tons of sticky rice and non-glutinous rice has already been delivered to China as part of an earlier agreement to export 8,000 tons of rice from Laos to China. This agreement was recently amended, with an increase from 8,000 tons to 20,000 tons.

The rice bound for China is grown in Savannakhet and Champasack provinces, with only the IDP Rice Mill in Savannakhet Province able to produce rice of a high enough quality to meet Chinese standards.

While Laos boasts a large number of rice mills, the product is often of low quality.

More than 778,000 hectares of wet season rice and 126,000 hectares of dry season rice are grown in Laos every year, however around 226,000 hectares of rice in lowland areas are completely dependent on rainfall, as irrigation has not yet been implemented in those areas.

Laos expects to produce around 5 million tons of rice by 2020 as part of efforts to ensure food security for the country. Between 2015 and 2016 Laos produced 4.12 million tonnes of rice – well on its way to meeting the 2020 target.

Xyanye Lao Co Ltd, a Chinese enterprise, was approved by China’s National Development and Reform Commission as sole exporter of Lao rice to China.

Major importers of Lao rice include Vietnam, Thailand, and China, among other countries.

Source: Xinhua
Photo: Exo Travel

Deputy Prime Minister to Stamp Out Corruption in Laos

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Laotian Times
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Corruption in Laos

While corruption in Laos remains problematic, the Deputy Prime Minister has made it his mission to stamp it out, and raise public awareness of the issue.

Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Party and Government Inspection Authority and Anti-Corruption Organization, Dr Bounthong Chitmany, says the issue must be raised among the public, and the government must take note.

“We must raise public awareness of the dangers of corruption, starting at a young age,” announced Dr Bounthong during his address at the annual inspection meeting yesterday.

He said that corruption in Laos erodes the influence and leadership of the Party, and that he is working hard with the people’s interest at heart.

Last year, inspections were undertaken on 786 targets throughout fifteen ministries and government agencies in both Vientiane Capital and the provinces. Anti-corruption officials found that over 98 billion kip, 15 million baht, and US$ 2 million had been syphoned away through corruption.

Deputy Prime Minister Bounthong stated that corruption involved individual decisions made by leaders at various levels, and was rarely due to group decisions or collusion.

He added that abuse of power by authorities would be the focus of future inspections.

One of the major issues raised at the meeting was the direct involvement of Party members and government officials in illegal activities in the timber and drug trafficking trades.

Dr Bounthong emphasized the importance of addressing public complaints, and also complaints and suggestions made by Party members and civil servants regarding corruption in Laos. He said that anonymous letters and citizen reports should be given greater credence, and followed up.

The Party and government have noted the overwhelming public support of actions taken toward stamping out corruption, with particular support for Prime Mnister Thongoun Sisoulith and his decree on the timber trade, as well as the plan to hand over luxury vehicles in use by government officials.

The deputy prime minister mentioned that an official from the Communist Party of China had praised decisions taken by the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, and said he was following the example of China’s hard stance against corruption. 

Laos and US Strengthen Ties During Official Visit

By
Laotian Times
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Laos and the US strengthen ties

Laos and the US  will develop stronger economic ties and enhance comprehensive partnership, according to discussions held during a visit to Laos by a senior US official.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southeast Asia W. Patrick Murphy visited Laos from January 16-17. He was received by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sengphet Houngboungnuang.

“Our joint future is bright as we work together to realize the promise of the Comprehensive Partnership,” said Mr Murphy, according to a United States Embassy press release.

The deputy secretary of state outlined various fields in which Laos and the US can strengthen ties, including accelerating UXO clearance, investing in institutional development, and expanding economic ties.

Mr Murphy also had a meeting with Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Somchit Inthamith to discuss economic ties between Laos and the US in greater detail, as well as meetings with officials from the Lao health sector to discuss the Lao-American Nutrition Institute.

After departing Vientiane, Mr Murphy visited Xieng Khuang Province where he observed UXO clearance work being undertaken there with US funding.

President Obama visited Laos last September and announced a larger budget for US funded UXO clearance in Laos, at US $90 million over three years.

Laos To Export Electricity To Malaysia by September

By
Laotian Times
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Laos Export Electricity Malaysia

Laos is to export electricity to Malaysia by September.  100 megawatts of electrical power will be sent to Malaysia by this September, according to the head of the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines.

Dr Daovong Phonekeo said last week that the Laotian government was launching the first phase of a pilot project to sell 100MW of electricity to Malaysia via Thailand’s national grid.

Laos also expects to export another 100MW of power to Singapore via Thailand and Malaysia’s network by 2020 as the second phase.

Laos, which already exports electricity to its neighbours, is looking at exporting power to Singapore because of the high energy prices there, an official said.

It was reported previously that Laos exported electricity at a unit price of just over 7 US cents per kilowatt-hour to Thailand and just over 6 cents per kilowatt-hour to Vietnam and Cambodia, while the unit price in Singapore was about 20 US cents per kilowatt-hour.

Daovong said the Ministry of Energy and Mines was preparing documents that would speed up talks with the authorities in Thailand and Malaysia in March, to negotiate prices and the electricity-transmission process.

He believes that the sale of electricity to Malaysia will start this year.

He said the export of electricity to Malaysia was part of a pilot project. Laos will assess its benefits and challenges with other Asean members and looks forward to trading electricity collectively.

Ministers welcomed the signing of memoranda of understanding between Laos and the countries involved, saying they needed to work together and complete the legal, technical and commercial aspects of the pilot project.

The sale of energy under the MoUs will be pursued under the initial phase of the Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP).

The four countries have engaged in talks and activities in which the ministers reiterated their support for the LTMS-PIP as a pathfinder to complement existing efforts towards realising multilateral electricity trade in the Asean Power Grid and the Asean Economic Community.

Laos is expected to generate 10,000MW by 2020.

Up to 75 per cent of this is expected to be exported, as domestic demand is forecast at only 25 per cent.

By 2030, Laos’ power-production capacity is expected to rise further to 20,000MW, which will be in excess of domestic demand and available for export to countries in the region.

Source: The Nation

Vientiane Sightseeing Bus Hits the Road

By
Laotian Times
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Vientiane Sightseeing Bus

The Hop-on Hop-off Vientiane Sightseeing Bus has caught the attention of Vientiane residents as it makes its rounds through the city.

The hop-on hop-off tourist bus is the brainchild of Mr Vilaysone Louangaphay, operator of Xang Lao Travel.  Mr Vilaysone said he wanted to offer this service to tourists in Laos as a new way to experience the city.

The sightseeing bus is an open top bus with two levels of seating affording passengers a view of the city as they drive around.  It was fully designed and customized in Laos.

Xang Lao Travel has also brought a ‘trolley bus’ into service. The trolley bus is a smaller open top vehicle which makes the same rounds as the sightseeing bus.

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One trip on the Vientiane Sightseeing Bus runs for approximately two hours. It travels every day, making two rounds per day, from 8:30 – 9:00 in the morning, and 1:30PM to 3:30PM in the afternoon. The trip is currently free of charge as the company is promoting the service and wishes to receive feedback from the public.

The bus travels from Inpeng Temple to Ho Phra Keo Temple, then travels the length of Thadeua Rd to the clock tower at KM8. From there the bus travels toward the US Embassy, turns at T4 Road and travels toward ITECC on its way to the That Luang Stupa. From That Luang the bus makes a stop at Patuxay Park, turns up Samsenthai Rd and passes the Lao Plaza Hotel on its way back to the final destination back at Inpeng Temple.

The sightseeing bus is also available for bridal parades, wedding receptions, or can be reserved for private tours.

More information can be found at the Xang Lao Travel website here.

Nineteenth SEA Write Awards Winner Satisfied With Success

By
Laotian Times
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SEA Write Awards

The nineteenth winner of the SEA Write Awards Soubanh Luangrath is proud to have been recognized as an outstanding writer for the country and will continue his endeavors to promote Lao literature.

The poem “Mounmang Langmanmork” (The Heritage Behind the Clouds) written by Lao writer Soubanh Luangrath was selected as the best poem from eleven poems, and therefore Soubanh was selected as the Lao winner of the SEA Write Awards 2016.

Over the years, SEA Write awards have alternated between short stories, tales, and poems, with one genre selected each year for nomination.

Mr Soubanh Luangrath said he was very appreciative that his poem was selected as a SEA Write Award winner this year.

He said the award winning poem “Mounmang Langmanmork” examines the beauty of nature, the treasure of cultural heritage and looks forward to a coming together as part of the diverse Asean community.

He also thanked Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and revealed that Laos holding the Asean Chair last year inspired him to write this poem to promote the Asean community as one with its diversity of cultures and traditions.

The ceremony has announced Mr Soubanh is the nineteenth winner of the SEA Write Awards, following on from the inaugural winner Dr Thongkham Onmanisone, also a poet, who collected the first SEA Write Award in 1998.

Mr Soubanh went on to recite his award winning poem for the officials and guests present at the awards announcement ceremony and then unveiled his book of poetry, which contains not only The Heritage Behind the Clouds but also many other poems.

Another of his poems, named “Saykhong saychay mittaphab lae kanhuammeu” received a Mekong award in 2012 in Danang, Vietnam.

SEA Write Awards

The committee of SEA Write Laos has announced the Lao writer who received the SEA Write Award this year to recognise his achievements and to promote Lao literature at a ceremony held recently at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

This book is a collection of poems that created by him in 2016 assembled under the name “Mounmang Langmanmork” ” (The Heritage Behind the Clouds).

Mr Soubanh said his poem alludes to the darkness of a high mountain in the clouds but that behind the clouds there is still fertility.

It also alludes to the coming together as part of the Asean Community, which is characterised by its diversity.

In addition to his poetry, Mr Soubanh has authored various books of children’s tales, documentary books and other technical books to promote Lao Literature as well to create ideals and vision among the young people for development.

Since 1979, Mr Soubanh Luangrath has worked as a journalist and writer for Vannasin Magazine and for almost 40 years at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

After graduating with a master’s degree of Mass Media in Russia in 1989, he served as Editor –in –Chief and Deputy Director of Vannasin Magazine during the period from 1989-1999.

 He also served on the National Committee of Reading Promotion from 1991-1999.

Besides working as a writer, he has continued to translate feature stories for Vannasin Magazine as one of his various roles.

Mr Soubanh has now authored almost 20 poetry and children’s books, including Kheua Khaokard, Khonglin Pheunmeuang, Suphasit Charkpa amongst others.

He is now Vice President of the Lao Writers’ Association and serves as the director of  the Children’s Cultural Centre  after devoting more than half his life to literary pursuits.

Source: Vientiane Times

Laos and Thailand Must Further Promote Investment

By
Laotian Times
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Laos and Thailand Business Forum

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has called upon the business sectors in Laos and Thailand to promote further investment and cooperation.

The Prime Minister attended the 2017 Lao-Thai Business Forum in Vientiane yesterday, and made his announcement there. The event, which was attended by nearly 200 participants, was jointly organized by the Lao National Chamber of Industry of Commerce and the Thai Embassy to Laos.

The PM stressed that barriers must be overcome, while business mechanisms must be fast, timely, and transparent. He also said he would like to see investment proposals passed through a single window, with projects open to inspection.

He pointed out that Laos demonstrates investment potential in agriculture, as well as hydropower generation, and tourism.

The Lao government aims to continually improve the investment environment in Laos, which benefits from political stability and steady economic growth.

According to the President of the Lao National Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Mr Oudet Souvannavong, the business forum was an important means for promotion of trade and investment between Laos and Thailand.

The forum is a unique platform for Lao and Thai businesspeople to network, undertake business matching, and discuss trade and investment information, said Mr Oudet.

Laos and Thailand have had a historic tradition of cooperation, and Thailand remains the main trading partner of Laos, with trade and investment has increased over the last few years.

Major exports from Laos to Thailand include electricity, copper, tobacco, vegetables, and minerals. Laos, in turn, imports fuel, vehicles, electronic items and machinery from Thailand.

This year’s Lao-Thai Business Forum will include discussions in eight sectors, being agriculture, logistics, border trade, tourism, health, real estate, financial institutions, and natural resources.

Source: Vientiane Times

Lao Electricity Not Always Cheap for Neighbors

By
Laotian Times
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Lao Electricity Imported to Cambodia

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen visited the opening of the new Lao-Cambodian border last Tuesday, and thanked the government of Laos for selling electricity at a cheap rate to Cambodia.

Experts have warned that Lao electricity prices are not as low as they seem, saying that a prolonged reliance upon imported energy from Laos means prices will remain higher for Cambodian consumers.

Electricity rates in Cambodia are among the highest in the region, with the most inexpensive option coming from the national grid. Prices vary from US $0.11 to $0.27 per kilowatt hour, compared to the low rate of just $0.07 paid by consumers in Laos.

Only about 25 percent of Cambodia is connected to the national grid, and some electricity suppliers use diesel fuel or charge transmission tariffs that can reach up to $1 per kilowatt hour.

Now experts are saying that Cambodia must not rely on Lao electricity imports, and must instead reduce costs by upgrading the national grid.

According to a recent article by the Phnom Penh Post, one expert has advised increasing solar power and focusing on coal in centralized generators for short and medum-term expansion of the national grid. This would be supplemented by solar-powered micro-grids in remote areas.

Another expert went on to say that these micro-grids could make a large impact on electricity supply and consumption, and would be entirely feasible for Electricite du Cambodge, the Cambodian state utility supplier.

While imported energy is a short-term solution to Cambodia’s energy shortage, relying on imports can leave the country exposed to market fluctuation, with potential additional costs passed along to consumers.

Cambodia is currently constructing the Lower Sesan II hydropower dam in northeastern Cambodia, which will produce approximately 400 megawatts of electricity. Many have criticized the project as harmful to the environment, and some experts have stated that dams alone will are not a suitable solution for Cambodia’s electricity shortage.

Source: Phnom Penh Post

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