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Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Collects 98 Million Kip from Value Added Tax

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Laotian Times
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Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge

The Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Vientiane, which began charging Value Added Tax on items purchased abroad last year, has secured over 98 million kip to date.

The Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge began collecting customs charges of 10 percent VAT since it tightened controls in late 2016.

According to recent statistics released by the government, some 45,026 vehicles passed the checkpoint since the new regulations were implemented in November 2016.

1,262 vehicle owners were required to pay the customs taxes of 10 percent of the value of imported goods, with customs officers at the bridge collecting tax and customs duties on imports of fuel, food products, and vehicles over a certain value.

Checks are also in place at the Thanalaeng Railway Station checkpoint.

 The tax is exempt for infrequent travelers that cross less than twice a month and bring items valued at less than US$ 50.

 According to one source, custom officers had been ordered to reach a collection target of 70 billion kip per month.

 This did not take into account consumer behavior, however, as while the number of passengers crossing the border has not changed, Lao people are now purchasing fewer items from Thailand.

The majority of trips made by Lao people crossing the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge into Thailand are now for tourism and recreational purposes.

Lao Fuel Prices Rise Again in 2017

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Laotian Times
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Lao Fuel Price Increases in 2017

Lao fuel prices increased for the first time this year on January 20, in line with increases on the world market.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced the price increase this week, on the heels of two price increases last month.

Below are increased prices for fuel in each province around the country:

 

Province Regular / Litre Premium / Litre Diesel / Litre
Vientiane Capital 7,820 kip 8,820 kip 6,860 kip
Vientiane Province 7,820 kip 8,820 kip 6,860 kip
Khammouane 7,850 kip 8,850 kip 6,890 kip
Savannakhet 7,850 kip 8,850 kip 6,890 kip
Champasack 7,880 kip 8,880 kip 6,920 kip
Bokeo 7,920 kip 8,920 kip 6,960 kip
Borikhamxay 7,940 kip 8,820 kip 6,980 kip
Xieng Khouang 8,010 kip 9,280 kip 7,050 kip
Salavanh 8,030 kip 8,850 kip 7,070 kip
Attapeu 8,060 kip 8,880 kip 7,100 kip
Xaysomboune 8,060 kip 8,880 kip 7,100 kip
Xekong 8,060 kip 8,880 kip 7,100 kip
Xayaboury 8,220 kip 9,280 kip 7,260 kip
Houaphan 8,220 kip 9,280 kip 7,260 kip
Oudomxay 8,270 kip 8,820 kip 7,310 kip
Luang Prabang 8,280 kip 9,280 kip 7,320 kip
Phongsaly 8,550 kip 8,820 kip 7,590 kip
Luang Namtha 8,810 kip 8,280 kip 7,220 kip

 

Lao Fuel Imported From Shell Oil

Meanwhile, Petrovietnam (PV) Oil Lao Co., Ltd, a member of Petrovietnam Oil Corporation, continues to import fuel from the Shell Oil Company of Thailand, for supply to the Lao market.

The two companies signed a contract extension agreement in Vientiane Capital last week.

The signing ceremony was to help promote the supply of EURO4 fuel, which meets local and international standards, for service to the public, signifying a strong relationship between both companies for the supply of quality Lao fuel.

Petrovietnam Oil Corporation (PV OIL) completed the purchase of all shares of Societe Shell du Lao, taking full ownership in December 2010.

Huawei Hands Over Big Prize to Lucky Draw Winner

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Laotian Times
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Huawei Lucky Draw Winner

Huawei Smartphone has handed over big prizes in its largest lucky draw to date.

The Huawei Lucky Draw ran from August to December 2016, and included prizes such as an M-Phone sim card with 150 minutes of free calls and 2Gb of free data, free Honda Wave scooters, fifty solid gold necklaces, and a brand new Ford Fiesta vehicle as the grand prize.

The handover ceremony was held at the Huawei retail outlet in Khunta Village on 17 January. Huawei Technologies Laos organized the big prize handover presentation event to the lucky winners. Mr Li Liang Shang, President of MKE Electronic Co. Ltd had the honor of  handing over the prizes to the lucky draw winners. 

Ms. Chankham Phonthongsy from Luang Namtha Province, who purchased a Huawei GR5 on 25 December 2016 at the Hongda Mobile Shop (in Luang Namtha Province) won the Ford Fiesta grand prize. 

“I feel very happy and so lucky to have won this prize. I never though that I would win something like this!” said Ms Chankham.

Mr Zhujinyong, Huawei Country Director told the media that Huawai had made a large investment to develop the smartphone market in Laos, and develop human resources, sales skills, and after sales service so that customers could enjoy the best experience with Huawei. 

“As always, we will continue our efforts in technological innovation and open cooperation, to leverage our capabilities across the industry, contribute our knowledge and global experiences, thereby better connecting the world, constantly enabling social progress, and enriching people’s lives,” he went added.

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An Interview with Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister of Laos

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Laotian Times
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Prime Minister of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith

A senior news reporter from Thailand, Mr Suthichai Yoon, released a frank and interesting video interview with Dr Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister of Laos. In this friendly exchange, the Lao prime minister opened up about managing a country, and the direction of the Lao government. In the most interesting part, the prime minister of Laos states that the goal of becoming the ‘battery of Asia’ is overly ambitious.

View the video below or click here to view in YouTube:

 

A First Look: The Largest Lao Food Festival in Laos

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Laotian Times
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Lao Food Festival 2017

The much anticipated 12th Annual Lao Food Festival officially opened at the Chao Anouvong Park in Vientiane Capital today, exhibiting a variety of foods from across the nation.

The aim of the festival is to bring attention to Lao cuisine, and to showcase some of the little-known dishes that are more common in the provinces.

Visitors are able to taste-test a variety of Lao foods, and hungry patrons can dine at the many restaurants that have opened their kitchens to the festival.

This year, the Lao Food Festival boasts 178 booths, the highest number on record. The festival runs for three full days, from 25-27 January 2017 at the Chao Anouvong Park (9am-8pm).

Here’s a first look at the festival:

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Lao Military Instructor Killed by Grenade; 26 Students Injured

By
Laotian Times
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Lao Military Instructor

A Lao military instructor was killed and 26 students injured after a live grenade exploded during a military drill.

The instructor, First Lieutenant Somphone, had brought both live and disarmed grenades to his training course at the secondary school in Xay District, Oudomxay Province. The trainer mistakenly pulled the safety pin from a live grenade instead of a disarmed grenade when giving a demonstration to students.

According to a statement by police, First Lieutenant Somphone quickly realized his mistake, and selflessly used his own body to cover the grenade in the hopes of smothering the explosion, and saving the students.

Lieutenant Somphone was killed instantly, and 26 students suffered minor injuries. They were rushed to Oudomxay Hospital for treatment.

A statement by Dr Somphan Oudomphan of the provincial hospital confirmed that the students suffered shrapnel wounds, but none of them had been severely injured.

Military drills conducted at secondary schools around the nation include regulations prohibiting live grenades. It is unclear why in this case the instructor brought live explosives to the training course.

Short military training courses are compulsory for secondary school students in Laos.

Lotteria Opens Second Lao Branch at Dongdok

By
Laotian Times
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Lotteria Opens Second Branch at Dongdok

Popular Korean fast food chain Lotteria has opened a second branch at Dongdok, near the National University of Laos.

Lotteria is a leading business in Korea that has been writing the history of the domestic fast food industry through ceaseless business innovation, aggressive investments, and new product development.

The restaurant chain continues to work to please customers by developing menus that suit the local palate, ad designing sophisticated stores that keep up with the quickly changing trends and demands.

The restaurant chain is now in the process of transforming from a fast food restaurant into a cafe-style environment, attempting a bold change to build a new image as a Quick Service Restaurant.

Lotteria was founded in South Korea in 1979. The chain soon expanded to Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, and now Laos.

Lotteria has captured the taste buds of domestic customers by combining traditional fast food concepts with a touch of Korean flavor. The restaurant continues to meet the diverse needs of customers by maintaining quality while offering more than just hamburgers, including side menu items such as chicken, and a wide range of desserts and coffee.

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The first store in Vientiane was very well received by local people and is especially popular among teenagers.

“A wider range of chicken dishes have been offered for the menu in Laos, and as Lotteria is a Korean brand, we have had a good response to our Korean chicken, which is sweet and spicy. We also introduced our signature burger, the Bulgogi Burger,” said a Lotteria representative.

“We opened the second branch in Dongdok because our brand tends to be popular among the youth and among young families. Dongdok is a new residential area and also home to the National University,” she continued.

Lotteria plans to open 14 branches throughout Laos over the next five years.

LANIC Officially Takes Over Dot.La Domain Suffix

By
Laotian Times
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dot.la domain

Management and operation of Laos’ internet top-level domain (.la) was officially launched by the Lao National Internet Center (LANIC) yesterday.

The top-level domain for Laos, dot.la is based on the Laos country code, and was established in 1995. It was recently returned to the Lao government, after being leased to a foreign company.

During the time the dot.la domain was leased out, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has been training its staff, drafting regulations, and preparing to take over full management and operations of the domain.

The ministry has authorized local internet providers to provide services for the .la domain, and has allowed a foreign company to provide services abroad.

The National Information Center now manages the top-level domain dot.la, and also supplies cloud computing systems, services for co-location, and web hosting. It will become an important infrastructure system for future electronic government systems.

There are around 70,000 users of the .la domain name around the world, with only a few hundred users in Laos itself, according to officials at the Lao National Internet Center.

Until now the .la suffix has been notably popular in the United States, and has often been reserved by websites based in Los Angeles (LA).

Now, the Lao government hopes to promote its use domestically.

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