Home Blog Page 6324

Reduction in Underweight, Stunted Children Falls Short of Targets

By
admin
-

Reducing the numbers of underweight and stunted children has fallen short of the targets set, despite the efforts undertaken to pursue the targeted plan, a recent government report has showed.

The number of underweight children less than five years of age has fallen to 25.5 percent of the total children nationwide, which failed to meet the targeted plan of 22 percent as approved by the National Assembly (NA). The findings were detailed in a report on the implementation of the socio-economic development plan over the first 10 months of the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

Presenting the report to the recent NA ordinary session, Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Souphanh Keomixay told the parliament that efforts to reduce stunted children also fell short of the target.

Stunted children under five years of age (children who suffered chronic malnutrition) represented 35.6 percent, failing to meet the target of 34 percent as approved by the NA.

In an effort to reduce number of underweight and stunted children further, the government has set a target to reduce underweight children aged under five years from the current 25.5 percent to 22 percent by 2017.

A target has also been set to reduce the number of stunted children under five years of age (children who suffered chronic malnutrition) from the current 35.6 percent to 35 percent.

In addition, poverty reduction has also progressed at a slower pace but the government will strive to reduce the number of poor families from 6.56 percent in 2016 down to 6.09 percent by 2017.

There are several reasons contributing to slower poverty alleviation including the fact that most of the remaining poor families are located in remote hardship areas making it hard to introduce poverty-fighting programmes.

Meanwhile, Lao gross domestic product (GDP) registered smaller growth of only 6.9 percent in the 2015-2016 fiscal year, which was lower than the 7.5 percent recorded in the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

Laos appears set to register lower growth in the coming years as it has revised annual average GDP growth from the previous 7.5 percent to 7.2 percent over the next four years until 2020.

However, the government has made sound progress in a number of areas, notably in the social and cultural aspects, according to Dr Souphanh.

The healthcare service network has been improved and expanded. The number of people accessing clean water has reached as high as 89.2 percent of the total population, exceeding the plan of only 85 percent as approved by the NA.

Primary school enrolment has increased from 97.2 percent to 97.9 percent, while the dropout rate in primary schools has declined from 5.2 percent to 4.9 percent.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Vientiane Water Treatment Station 80 Percent Complete

By
admin
-

A new water treatment station based on natural processes in Nahay village, Xaysettha district, Vientiane is now 80 percent complete, using innovative methods pioneered in France.

The project progress was presented at the meeting between Vientiane Urban Development Administration Authority and international donors at the authority’s office on Monday.

In attendance was Vientiane Vice Major, Mr Keophilavanh Arphaylath, Head Office of the Vientiane Urban Development Administration Authority, Ms Vilayvone Chanthalaty and international organisation representatives.

The construction project commenced on May 17 this year, and should be finished by January 2017. It is expected to cost some 1,220,000 euros (or over 10 billion kip) to complete, funded by the France’s Association Internationale des Maires Francophones (AIMF).

The project includes construction of the station building, management of the waste water treatment station from now until 2019 and a training agreement.

The treatment of dirty water uses green’ processes which will not harm the environment or local communities, while the dregs that remain will be used as organic fertiliser.

The system uses reeds to cleanse the dirty water discharged by households and is the first project of its kind in Laos. Previous projects have proved successful in other countries, notably France.

T he plant will be located on a 2.6 hectare site and has four reservoirs for the treatment of waste from household toilets. The reservoirs will be able to store 100,000 cubic metres of dirty water a year.

The plant will use reeds to distil the dirty water and then the remains will be used as organic fertiliser.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Keophilavanh Arphaylath said the new project in Vientiane and not harm the environment and would become the model for provinces around the country when complete.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Laos-China Railway to Spur Border Zone Development

By
admin
-

The Laos-China railway will provide significant momentum for the development of the Boten-Mohan border economic cooperation zone, experts have noted.

The railroad, a key project under China’s Belt and Road initiative, will link the Mohan-Boten border crossing in northern Laos to Vientiane, over a distance of 427 kilometres.

Experts are optimistic that the border economic cooperation zone could become a regional hub for trade, investment and tourism once the almost-US$6 -billion railway is complete.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told his visiting Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith in Beijing last week that China is willing to work with Laos to push forward the development of the railway and economic cooperation zone.

The two premiers witnessed the signing of two cooperative documents on border trade and the economic cooperative zone.

Mr Thongloun said he was committed to building the railway as it was of great importance to Laos in transforming the land-locked country into a land link within the region.

The political commitment by the two countries aims to ensure that the two projects progress as planned.

Located at the Mohan Border Port, which is China’s gateway to Laos and provides access to Southeast Asia’s most convenient land route, the economic zone has significant investment potential.

The Boten Specific Economic Zone is located in Luang Namtha province and is accessible by Road No. R3.

The zone is being developed by two Chinese companies – Yunnan Hai Cheng Industrial Group Stock Co., Ltd. and Hong Kong Fuk Hing Travel Entertainment Group Ltd.

Vice President of the zone’s management board, Mr Vonekham Phetthavong, told Vientiane Times recently that the developers are concentrating on infrastructure development and providing facilities to accommodate the investment and tourism sectors.

We are building two hotels which could be as high as 15 storeys, to accommodate tourists, he said.

About 1,000 tourists visit the zone each month. Our activities include trekking in forests, watching cultural performances and other activities.

The US$500 million project covers 1,640 hectares and comes with a concession period of 99 years.

The Chinese developers will focus on four large-scale projects: a duty free centre, bus station complex, warehousing and a resort featuring a large natural marsh, hotel, meeting hall and leisure areas.

Mr Vonekham said many more investors and visitors will head to northern Laos once the economic cooperation zone in the Boten-Mohan border area is fully operational.

However, so far the project has not progressed as anticipated. As of August this year, only a little over US$50 million had been spent on the Boten Specific Economic Zone by the new Chinese developers.

The China-Laos railway is a vital part of the trans-Asia railway network that will link China with ASEAN nations to boost economic cooperation and people-to-people ties.

Construction is expected to start simultaneously in a number of provinces this month, with the whole railway scheduled for completion over the next five years.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Audit Aims to Recover Loss of State Properties

By
admin
-

Action to recover the losses from state land concession fees and transference of properties to capital will take a long time as related regulations will be need to be devised as regulatory tools.

State Audit Organisation President, Dr Viengthong Siphandone revealed the circumstances when talking to media last week about the results of the audit made for 2014/15.

According to the audit report, 14.5 billion kip has been lost caused by declarations of concession fees lower than that determined by the Presidential Ordinance No.2 in relation to projects authorised in 2013/14.

If the calculation was made following the ordinance the state would have received 64.1 billion kip as revenue from the business.

This difference in the amount occurred because the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Finance have not made joint comparisons in the calculation of the fees. The declaration of the fees did not comply with the ordinance, Dr Viengthong said.

She said the State Audit has made comment on this issue every year in the past eight years but the same problem has remained chronic with necessary regulations still not in place.

In addition, more than 190 billion kip has been uncovered by the audit as losses caused by the failure of provincial and local budgetary units in monitoring the implementation of concession fees on state land.

The audit found that 65.7 billion kip was passed on by project developers to the accounts of Departments of Planning and Investment in some provinces.

However the funds owed to the central government in relation to these transactions were not always passed on.

In addition, 28.3 billion kip was passed on to development funds, and 46.5 billion kip as compensation for residents’ properties.

The audit also found some government agencies used 52.1 billion kip of the uncovered revenue in paying rent fees.

The audit report uncovered 302 billion kip related to the transference of property to capital in the 2015/16 fiscal year but the amount has been not recorded in state revenue, while the deals which were made did not follow the procedure of bidding auctions and procurement.

Five ministries are related to the deals made in 2013/14 and 2014/2015, and the audit organisation was ordered by the prime minister to audit and identify whether the transference has been made in compliance with the related laws or not.

Dr Viengthong noted that 302 million kip was the value of transference, not including the value of related projects, explaining that the value of transference should be higher than the value of the project.

Due to the lack of specific regulations, the government has ordered a stop to the policy on transference of property to capital recently as it did not bring sufficient benefits to the state, and has even brought some losses.

According to Dr Vientgthong, the State Audit Organisation plans to audit two projects next year related to the transferences in three ministries, focusing on each project separately.

She said the losses would be recovered but this may take more time as the required specific regulations are not yet in place.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Foreign Markets Interested in Lao Organic Coffee

By
admin
-

A famous chef from France has tasted the organic coffee in Pakxong district, Champassak province and agreed to place an order for the top quality beans for coffee shops in Europe including France.

The order is expected to serve as a boon for the region’s image as a coffee producer in foreign counties including France.

The Bolaven Plateau Coffee Producers’ Cooperative has been exporting more than 1,000 tonnes of organic coffee per year to many foreign counties, which is currently valued at some US$5 million.

France is the top overseas buyer of its coffee at some 800 tonnes per year.

Famous chef from France, Mr Alain Ducasse joined representatives of Malongo company in France and Cafe Ma company in Switzerland to visit the Bolaven Plateau Coffee Producers’Cooperative in Paxong district last weekend.

The visit was aimed to sample some of the best of Lao coffee and discuss its promotion in overseas destinations including Europe.

The Bolaven Plateau Coffee Producers’ Cooperative and their development partners have supported local farmers in Pakxong district, Champassak province, Thataeng district, Xekong province and Lao-ngam district, Saravan province to increase the cultivation of organic coffee to support local and foreign markets.

The members of the Bolaven Plateau Coffee Producers Cooperative now comprise some 1,391 families from three provinces, including 826 families engaged in the organic process.

There are also 56 producers’ groups, including 36 groups in the organic process. More than 1,000 tonnes of coffee is exported by the cooperative annually.

The current area dedicated to growing the cooperative’s organic coffee is around 3,000 hectares, covering the three districts of Pakxong, Thataeng and Lao-ngam, with the produce 100 percent owned by local farmers.

According to the Bolaven Plateau Coffee Producers Cooperative, in 2016-2017, the yield was estimated at more than 8,000 tonnes of Arabica coffee and more than 1,000 tonnes of Robusta coffee, which was sold on both domestic and foreign markets.

The foreign markets still require more Lao organic coffee year to year, therefore the coffee producers’ cooperative plans to increase its plantation areas and producers’ groups for organic coffee in an effort to meet the demand.

The president of the Bolaven Plateau Coffee Producers’ Cooperative, Mr Bounthong Thepkaysone said that many foreign counties especially in Europe are interested in Lao organic coffee and have offered a better price than what is received for normal coffee.

He said this is because organic coffee is high quality, good for people’s health and also certified.

The Bolaven Plateau Coffee Producers’ Cooperative was established in 2007 as an organisation to improve the living conditions of Lao coffee smallholders and fight against poverty in the area.

The coffee producers cooperative and the Malongo company are not only cooperating in relation to business; they also support capacity building and infrastructure development in local communities, as well as work to improve farming practices for all members.

The Lao Coffee Association has reported that most of the Lao coffee crop is exported to France, Chinese Taiwan, Italy, Japan, Spain, Poland, Germany, USA, Belgium, Sweden, Thailand and Vietnam.

Due to a slump in coffee prices on the world market, the sale price of Lao coffee and export volumes have been declining in recent years.

In 2013, Laos exported 30,000 tonnes of coffee valued at US$72 million. In 2014, total coffee exports dropped to 26,000 tonnes valued at US$60 million. Last year exports fell further to 23,000 tonnes valued at US$50 million.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Laos-Viet Border Crossings Considering Extended Opening Hours

By
admin
-

The Ministry of Transport of Vietnam has proposed expanding opening hours at Vietnam-Laos border crossings to boost investment, trade and tourism between the two nations and region.

Vietnamese Minister of Transport, Mr Truong Quang Nghia submitted the proposal to the Minister of Public Works, Dr Bounchanh Sinthavong at the end of last month during his delegation’s working visit to Laos.

Mr Truong Quang Nghia proposed to Dr Bounchanh Sinthavong to extend the closing time for Viet-Laos borders from 5pm to 8pm.

Laos’ nine provinces of Huaphan, Xieng Khuang, Luang Prabang, Borikhamxay, Khammuan, Savannakhet, Saravan, Xekong and Attapeu share borders with Vietnam.

The busy Namphao-Cau Treo international border crossing between the two countries has already extended opening hours from 6am to 9pm.

Meanwhile, at lower volume traditional border crossings between Laos and Vietnam the opening hours will remain 8am to 4pm.

Director of Khammuan provincial Finance Department Mr Khamven Panyanouvong, told Vientiane Times on Monday that the Namphao-Cau Treo crossing opening hours were approved following agreement between the province and Vietnam’s Nghe An province.

The central government has yet to give the green light to extending opening hours for all Laos and Vietnam borders from 5 pm to 8 pm preferring to let Lao and Vietnamese provinces to make the decision on a case by case basis.

Deputy Head of the Administration Office in Khammuan province Mr Vannavong Vongprachanh also said that Naphao-Chalo international border between Laos and Vietnam in the province was open for freight trucks from 8 am to 5:30 pm, but stayed open for bus tours and travellers until 7:30 pm.

Director of the Savannakhet provincial Public Works and Transport Department, Mr Prasongsin Chaleunsouk, said Dansavan-Lao Bao international border has had an operational one door, one stop service since early 2015 which has reduced the time it takes vehicles to cross the border since its introduction.

The single window service means vehicles entering Laos from Vietnam are not checked at the Vietnamese border but only at the Lao border. Meanwhile vehicles from Laos entering Vietnam have to present their documents on the Vietnamese side only.

It now takes only 15 minutes for trucks to complete customs declarations at the Lao Bao-Dansavan border crossing between Vietnam and Laos. Vietnam needs to quickly build a strategy and policies for the development of cross-border transport, especially transport corridors.

The Nam Heuang-Nakaxeng International border in Xayaboury province also has an operational one door, one stop service.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Intercontinental Set for 2021 Laos Debut

By
admin
-

Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) is set to open its first Intercontinental-brand property in Laos in 2021, as part of the new mixed-use World Trade Centre development. The more than 400-room Intercontinental Vientiane will join a retail mall, medical centre, conference centre, office tower and residential towers when it opens.

The hotel and development will be situated next to Lan Cang Avenue, Vietnam Street and French Street, in close proximity to key buildings including the Prime Minister’s office, numerous international embassies and major convention centres. Meanwhile Wattay International Airport is a short drive from the location, and public transportation options will allow for convenient access to Lao National Museum and the Morning Market.

“Laos is currently one of the region’s fastest growing nations with close to five million international arrivals each year and future infrastructural and industrial developments underway to continue boosting economic growth and attract foreign investment,” said Leanne Harwood, vice president, operations for IHG, South East Asia and Korea. “It is well on its way to becoming one of the region’s busiest business and tourist destinations and it’s a great time to be bringing the Intercontinental brand into the country to tap on this potential.”

Guests at the hotel will be able to make use of the brand’s signature Club Lounge, in addition to a swimming pool, spa and fitness centre. A specialty restaurant, all-day international restaurant, lobby lounge and bar will make up the F&B offerings.

Speaking about the opening, Lao International Development Co. CEO, Xiao Long, said: “In looking for a hotel management partner we were seeking one with a strong track record in operating hotels in new markets and a well-known premium hotel brand to complement the mix of offerings which would draw business and leisure travellers to stay with us when they travel.”

 

Source: Business Traveller 

BCEL-KT: Trade Summary (Dec 1, 2016)

By
admin
-

Trade summary

Lao stock market marked was quiet day on the final day of the week, index closed up by 0.13 percent or 1.33 points to stay at 1,028.48 points because of rising from BCEL’s price, making 400 shares traded and worth about 2,040,000 kip. EDL-Gen had the small trading volume with 300 shares, traded unchanged price at 5,100 kip. On the other hand, BCEL moved up during the price 5,000 kip to 5,100 kip, which had trading volume of just 100 shares.  In the meantime, other stocks saw no matching, with LWPC closing at 5,400 kip, PTL at 2,500 kip and SVN at 3,000 kip.

1...6,3236,3246,325...6,479Page 6,324 of 6,479