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Viettel (Unitel in Laos) Pioneers Free Roaming in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam

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Laotian Times
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Vietnam’s giant telecom levels call and data charges between three ASEAN neighbors.

HO CHI MINH CITY — Vietnam’s state-owned telecom Viettel will eliminate overseas roaming charges between its operators in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from January 2017.

“Users of Metfone in Cambodia, Unitel in Laos and Viettel in Vietnam will be charged at the local mobile fee when they make cross-border calls to each other,” said Nguyen Manh Hung, Viettel’s managing director, who regards the three countries as an economic and cultural bloc.

Discussions about free roaming services started years ago in Australia, Europe, and New Zealand, but without bearing fruit. Free roaming within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has also been discussed by regional ministers since 2013.

Viettel has well-established infrastructure in the three countries, and is the first telecom to launch such a service within a regional economic bloc, promising cheaper cross-border rates for calls and data.

In a statement released on Thursday, Viettel said it expected its individual operators to lose some revenue initially with the reduced charges, but provided no figures. The figure could be 2% according to one Europe model in 2013. Viettel expects users to become more active when they travel if they can continue paying domestic rates.

Military-run Viettel posted revenue of $9.7 billion in 2015 with 13% year-on-year growth, and profits up 8% to $2 billion.

As of September 2016, Viettel had 90 million customers, of which 26 million were in nine overseas markets: Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Haiti, Laos, Mozambique, Peru, Tanzania, and Timor Leste. Viettel has targeted 25 countries by 2020.

Cambodia and Laos were Viettel’s first foreign ventures, and remain its most profitable. By August, Unitel in Laos had $1 billion in accumulated revenue over seven years and aggregate profit of $300 million. Unitel has a brand value of $132 million, making it one of the 30 most valuable in the region and top in Laos, according to a report by UK-based Brand Finance in April. The company currently has more than 2.5 million customers. It accounts for 47% of Laos’s mobile market and 35% of the broadband market.

Metfone in Cambodia has a brand value of $94 million and is the leading mobile service provider in the country with 5.5 million customers and 37% market share. It recorded $256 million in revenue last year.

Viettel already operates in East Timor, and is about to launch in Myanmar with a $1.5 billion commitment and two local partnerships. It is also believed to be negotiating its entry into Indonesia.

Viettel is targeting $1.5 billion in gross revenue from its overseas markets this year, up from $660 million in 2015. This has been driven by expansion of profitable third- and fourth-generation services. Overseas revenues were up 13% year on year in the first half of 2016.

Source: Nikkei Asian Review

BCEL-KT: Trade Summary (Dec 16, 2016)

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admin
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Trade Summary

LSX lost 2.00 points or 0.19 percent, at 1,029.74 points as BCEL decreased 150 kip in price. BCEL today closed at 5,050 kip with a handful of shares traded, 1,600 shares in total. EDL-Gen closed unchanged at 5,100 kip with 800 shares matched. LWPC, PTL and SVN closed at 5,900 kip, 2,500 kip and 3,000 kip respectively.

BCEL-KT: Trade Summary (Dec 15, 2016)

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admin
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Trade Summary

LSX moved up 27.20 points on Thursday to finish higher at 1,031.74 points. The trading volume, however, did not seem to have any improvement, with only just 5,300 shares traded, mostly EDL-Gen’s shares.

BCEL today edged up to 5,200 kip, increasing by 200 kip, with only 100 shares, while EDL-Gen was up by 150 kip to close at 5,100 kip. The three other stocks still closed unchanged with no trading.

Lao Contestant of Tourism Pageant Enters Final Round

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admin
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Ms Varissara Tangsouvanh is a representative delegate from Laos participating in the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2016 pageant, which is entering its final stages this week.

The final round of the pageant will take place on December 18 to select the best representative of tourism in her respective country.

The ladies represent 55 different countries and have participated in the pageant since November 28 in Shanghai to promote tourism and the exchange of culture.

Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International is a world class event that honours the exceptional participants, who gracefully uphold the epitome of beauty, composure, good moral character and personality.

Throughout this stage of the event, the neighbouring countries and the world will learn more about Laos and Lao culture as Ms Varissara enters the final round. The attention will now be on her much more than previous rounds.

First Modeling Lao Representative, Mr Viengsamone Chittalath, who initially hired Ms Varissara as a model, urges Lao people to follow her progress as she promotes Lao culture to the world.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Laos Utilises Cooperatives to Support Agricultural Growth

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admin
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Laos need to create the national committee for development of cooperation aiming to support and helping the agriculture sector in its expansion efforts.

For several years, the councils still lacked enough funding for agricultural development from the government

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Khambounath Xayananh, said at the workshop’s purpose is to review the progress of 2016 and planning for 2017. During the workshop, participants reported the progress of their activities and shared their future plans.

He said, since 2010, the Confederation has strengthened its capacity, focusing on the promotion of the agriculture sector, improving shareholders’ farming systems and empowering farmers as well as production groups and entrepreneurial associations to become voluntarily involved in agribusiness. There are 14 cooperatives nationwide aiming to provide funding support for cooperative development projects to improve and develop the agriculture sector further.

The Lao government has promoted the strengthening of the agricultural sector by improving cultivation techniques and practises through scientifically established methods, he noted.

Such contributions have greatly improved the economic situation of farmers in addition to small and medium enterprises by strengthening their initiative and self-help capabilities, he continued.

This promotion campaign is also supported by international donors like the German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation (DGRV).

Since 2013, the DGRV played an important role in contributing to the development of a legal framework with regard to the cooperative system, he said.

In the agricultural sector, the DGRV is supporting the setting up of farmers’ cooperatives and the provision of their respective institutional capacity building efforts.

In the financial sector, the establishment and strengthening of member based organisations such as village banks and credit unions are also supported.

Laos’ membership in the World Trade Organisation means more competition and new challenges for Lao society and cooperatives can contribute to strengthening farmers’ capacities and marketing power.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Laos, Singapore Cooperate in Cyber Protection

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admin
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Laos’ Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications is working in collaboration with Portcullis Technologies Singapore in the development of the nation’s cyber protection.

A seminar on a new paradigm in Cyber Protection’ was held at the National Conference Centre in Vientiane on Thursday and attended by Director General of Planning and Cooperation Department, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Mr Phoukhong Chithoublok, Managing Director of Portcullis Technologies Singapore, Mr Max Lee and other officials.

The event demonstrated the importance of addressing cyber security, cyber protection in modern business, trends of cyber security and how Laos can leverage the new paradigm in combating and mitigating the cyber threat.

The initiative is in line with the national ICT Vision 2030 and ICT Five Year Strategic Development Plan which aim to advance the adoption of emerging ICT for sustainable development, ensure secure information sharing and data protection, and a safe online environment.

With the increasing complexity of cyber security threats that modern business faces today, the oversimplified approach of detection and removal needs to be overhauled, with a rethink for a more effective strategy.

During the seminar, guest speakers from Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia also shared their knowledge on cyber security related issues.

Acting Director General of Lao Computer Emergency Response Team (LaoCERT), Mr Khamla Sounnalat, highlighted there were now 2,611,141 actual internet users in Laos with 2,583,358 using 3G and 4G internet connections.

The Lao government has prioritised the promotion of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector as the engine for socio-economic development.

This includes establishing new laws, regulations, decrees and related legislation for governing and managing the development and usage of the ICT sector as well as creating the cyber security policy in order to protect Critical National Information Infrastructure.

LaoCERT has become a fully operational, trusted channel among the ICT sectors providing alert warnings, incident responses and cyber security advisory. Mr Phoukhong Chithoublok said Laos’ Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications is committed to fulfilling its international obligations in the order to address these global challenges and we are working hard in building a safe and secure ICT infrastructure and services in our own country.

He stressed the ministry also had LaoCERT to coordinate national efforts in cyber security and they had successfully promulgated cyber crime law and were now working on the draft of the national cyber policy.

Meanwhile, Mr Max Lee said Portcullis Technologies will share a new and effective approach to overcome these challenges, in partnership with the reputable Lao-based ICT System Integrator, Datacom Corporation Ltd. This initiative is an important collaborative initiative to introduce uniquely differentiated cyber security training and consultancy for both information technology and operational technology related critical infrastructure in Lao PDR.

The public-private partnership in cyber security was proven to be a formidable contributor to Laos’ ICT industry. They would bring cyber security experts from the region to Laos to provide training and certification thereby boosting the local pool of cyber security professionals.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Water Supplies and Sanitation Aiming for Sustainability

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admin
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The specific goal of the Lao water supply and sanitation sector is focusing on safety, stability and sustainability to improve people’s living condition and contribute to socio-economic development.

That was the message conveyed when water supply and sanitation sector officials of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, representatives from water supply enterprises and donors met in Vientiane from December 14-15 to consult on strategy and management of the sector.

At the meeting, participants discussed and shared experiences on different topics, especially opportunities and challenges, vision, management, planning, investment, safety and service. Water supply and sanitation is a priority sector for the government in achieving the Sustainability Development Goals, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport, Dr Santisouk Simmalavong told the meeting.

One priority is guaranteeing sufficient water supply and access along with decent sanitation for local people.

Everyone around the world understood the importance of good water supply and safe sanitation, which are basic and major factors in improving people’s living conditions and developing human resources of the country, he commented.

Water supply is also a major factor in promoting agricultural production as well as industrial, service and tourism development, Dr Santisouk said.

However, with increased demand for water supplies, the sector needed to expand services and develop the distribution network in the city and to cover 80 percent of the community by 2020 and reach 90 percent by 2030, Dr Santisouk stressed.

To reach the target, he asked the relevant government sectors and private sector to provide effective management and competent service.

He believed the sector would continue to enhance its cooperation and work together to develop water supply networks to be able to provide service to all locations.

While large numbers of people in towns can access water supplies, many people in rural communities are still in need.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Laos Prepares for Face-to-face EU FLEGT, VPA Negotiations

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admin
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The Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) technical working group yesterday met in Vientiane to discuss finalised key parts of the draft timber definitions to be submitted to the European Union (EU) by the end of this month.

The submission is crucial preparation for the first face-to-face negotiations between the government of Laos and the EU on the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), scheduled for late February next year.

“The proper definition of legal timber is very crucial towards improving sustainable forest management and good governance in Laos, as it helps to enhance understanding among relevant government staff and the private sector in the forestry and timber industry, especially when it comes to forest inspection practices,” Forest Inspection Department’s Director General, Mr Khamphout Phandanouvong said.

“The timber legality definition allows us to identify gaps, redress and improve areas of legislation and regulation that are difficult to implement, impractical or confusing,” he added.

Once the legal definition has been developed through a multi-stakeholder platform and discussion with the EU, a field test of the legality definition is conducted.

The test allows an additional review of the definition to ensure applicability in the field.

During the workshop, participants also had a chance to discuss the scope of the FLEGT VPA negotiation regarding product, market destination and timber sources.

A presentation of the supply chain control and verification procedures highlighted the importance in the FLEGT VPA process.

The first drafts of Timber Legality Definition on wood processing and trading and conversion areas were also discussed during the workshop.

Laos has started to negotiate such an agreement with the EU with assistance from the German Development Cooperation Project, which is supported by the Lao-EU FLEGT Process (proFLEGT), implemented by GIZ.

ProFLEGT is a joint initiative of the Lao government and German Development Cooperation, and is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry through the FLEGT Standing Office under the supervision of the Department of Forest Inspection, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as well as other government agencies, civil society organisations, academia and timber processing industry.

During the initial stage of the Lao EU-FLEGT process, three pilot provinces have been selected, which are Xayaboury, Khammuan and Attapeu.

In this regard, WWF is working with the Department of Forestry Inspection to implement its FLEGT process in the two pilot provinces, Khammuan and Attapeu.

WWF takes a solution-oriented, integrated and local to global approach that seeks synergies with relevant stakeholders to influence drivers of deforestation and degradation.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

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