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Valuation of Your Property in Laos

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Laotian Times
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Laos Valuation

By Work Live Laos
Are you looking to purchase a plot of land, or perhaps a new family home? Or have you inherited some property and are unsure of the value? Maybe you have a portfolio of investment properties and need appraisal? In order to know the true value of your property, you’ll need professional valuation.

Despite the recent entrance of large real estate firms such as Century 21, real property valuation in Laos has not yet been officially authorized as a business activity for the private sector. Currently, certified valuation or appraisal is undertaken by the Department of Registration and Valuation, under the National Land Management Authority. It is possible to request a certified appraisal from this department, and it will be appraised in accordance with the department’s internal land pricing index.

Laos Property Valuation

Ask for a Valuation Consultation

To get an idea of your property’s true market value, however, it is worthwhile contacting a professional real estate agency who can offer you some assistance in understanding it. While this won’t be a certified valuation that can be used as verification for a loan or mortgage, it will give you a more accurate picture of market value.

Valuers in other countries use a variety of different methods to appraise a property. These approaches are often less applicable to the conditions of property ownership in Laos,  and so real estate firms in Laos normally appraise property using what is known as the “comparative method.”

The comparative method, or sales comparison approach, is a simple process of comparing sales of recent properties in a given area. Assuming that a buyer will not be willing to pay more for a property than those directly comparable, research into recently traded properties will provide a valuable insight.

A real estate firm has access to a vast database of information regarding recent sales and market prices, and can therefore make a simple valuation for you based on some quick research. While there are a number of agencies offering this service, Work Live Laos real estate agency is qualified and backed up by a number of satisfied clients.

For more information on property valuation, visit our website at www.worklivelaos.com or send an email to contact@worklivelaos.com

 

This article supplied by Work Live Laos real estate agency.
Work Live Laos

3 Online Services in Laos You Didn’t Know You Needed!

By
Laotian Times
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Online Services Laos

Laos is seeing a growing number of online services, from online stores to delivery services, but you may be missing out on  some of them if you don’t have a Facebook account, because they have no website at all!

Here are three examples of online services in Laos that will make your life so much easier…

1. Foxpress

Foxpress

Need to get a document across town quick? Foxpress is a speedy local startup that is rapidly gaining momentum! This online courier service will deliver documents, packages, and even food… or flowers (think Valentines Day) to just about anywhere in Vientiane Capital. The pricing is insanely reasonable, and the time you save makes it really worthwhile. So next time, don’t get yourself stuck in traffic for just one paper – have Foxpress deliver it.

 

2. Hin Sai Online

Hin Sai Online

If you are renovating, doing some landscaping, or in need of construction supplies, it can sometimes be hard to find a phone number for a truckload of soil.  Instead of driving around looking for that “Hin Sai”  ຫິນ-ຊາຍ sticker stuck on a post somewhere, just head over to the Hin Sai Online Facebook page and place an order! Hin Sai Online delivers sand, stones, earth, soil, cement blocks, bricks, and even roll-out grass.

3. Book Delivery

Book Delivery

The suitably named Book Delivery does just that! If you’re out of reading material and in a hurry to jump into the next bestseller, look no further than Book Delivery! These guys will deliver books AND magazines to your doorstep after just a few mouse-clicks.

Diabetes on the Increase in Laos

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admin
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Diabetes in Laos

The number of patients seeking treatment at Setthathirath Hospital is on the rise, especially among people who are poorly informed about how to stay clear of diabetes.

This year, more than 400 people are receiving treatment at the hospital’s diabetes centre, up from about 350 people last year.

Director General of Setthathirath Hospital, Associate Prof. Dr Khampe Phongsavath, spoke with Vientiane Times yesterday before an activity to mark World Diabetes Day, which is observed annually on November 14.

He said people living with the disease are encouraged to eat fruit, vegetables and low-fat meat, as well as to do regular exercise if they wish to prevent the exacerbation of diabetes-related symptoms and conditions.

During the activity, the hospital provided free blood glucose tests. A high level of glucose in the blood can indicate the possibility of diabetes, a disease which often has no symptoms until it has already progressed to an advanced stage.

“People with this disease need to make dietary changes to ensure their daily food intake does not raise their blood glucose levels,” Dr Khampe said. Stress is also one of several other factors increasing the risk of diabetes.

Overweight people and those over 35 years of age are at high risk of diabetes. Experts suggest that to catch the disease in its early stages, people should have their blood glucose level checked every three years.

To prevent the onset of the disease, people should avoid a high-cholesterol and high-carbohydrate diet and stick to unprocessed foods.

Head of the Endocrinology Ward at Setthathirath Hospital, Dr Boummy Somsamouth, said the hospital hoped to improve people’s understanding of how to prevent the debilitating disease.

But the increasing number of diabetics in the country each year is proof that the information campaigns aren’t reaching the right people.

“This year, more than 400 people are receiving treatment at the hospital’s diabetes centre, up from about 350 people last year.”

Diabetes is not just a health issue, he said. Substantial economic losses are incurred when people of productive age are diagnosed. The disease impacts their families, the health system and the economy through medical costs and loss of work.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than 347 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes. The disease accounted for 1.5 million deaths in 2012 alone.

Total deaths are projected to rise by more than 50 percent in the next 10 years, making diabetes the seventh leading cause of death in the world by the year 2030.

It is estimated that by 2030, about 366 million people worldwide will suffer from diabetes.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Over 40 Crimes Reported during That Luang Festival

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A total of 46 crimes were reported to the Vientiane Public Security Headquarters during this year’s That Luang Festival.

The incidents took place from November 8-14, with pickpocketing being the most common crime and 31 cases reported. In addition, five bags were reportedly slashed, one fight broke out, there was one drug-related case, and five robberies and three general thefts were noted.

Losses included more than 47 million kip in cash, over 56,000 Thai baht, 14 baht weight of gold, US$6,200, 700 yuan, 18 mobile phones, one camera, and other items. The police arrested eight people including two women.

During last year’s That Luang festival there 21 crimes, with pickpocketing again the most commonly reported offence. More than 15 million kip and other items were stolen and the police arrested two men.

No crimes were reported at Lao-ITECC, where the commercial part of the festival took place.

This year, 2,481 police, soldiers and students were stationed around the festival to ward off criminals and prevent antisocial behaviour.

The Vientiane Public Security Headquarters also reported other crimes that occurred around the capital during the festival period.

reported in Vientiane with police solving 29 cases and arresting 77 people including 19 women.

Most of the incidents were drug-related, with 13 cases reported. Police solved 13 cases and arrested 35 people, including five women.

There were also 11 general thefts, with police solving six cases and arresting nine people. Police also seized 298 amphetamine pills and a gun.

The Vientiane Traffic Police reported that from November 8-14, a total of 31 traffic accidents took place in the capital, resulting in four fatalities.

Compared to last year the number of accidents dropped from 19 to 31, but the number of fatalities remained the same.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Govt, Development Partners Push for Technology, Innovation Development

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admin
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The government and its development partners have stepped up joint efforts to push for the development of science, technology and innovation in Laos in a move to drive national development.

Representatives from the relevant ministries and UNESCO met yesterday in Vientiane to raise awareness on UNESCO’s Global Observatory on Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Instrument.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Houmphanh Intharath spoke highly of the policy that supports science, technology and innovation development in various countries.

The deputy minister touched on the move in which Laos has been selected as the first country in the region to implement a pilot project under the policy to support the development of science, technology and innovation in the country.

During the two-day training workshop, participants shared lessons learnt concerning science, engineering, technology and innovation policies as well as instruments, research and development indicators on science, engineering, technology and innovation including those being implemented in Laos.

The move aims to contribute to the effort of defining policy, strategy and both the shorter and longer term development plans of the sector in order to contribute to the ambition to attain the sustainable development goals for 2030.

Mr Houmphanh informed the meeting that the Lao Ministry of Science and Technology has just concluded its 2nd Nationwide Meeting and the first Science Meeting last month, which adopted the draft strategy on science and technology development until 2025 and vision until 2030.

The five-year science and technology development plan 2016-2020 was also approved at the meeting.

“The plan has set both shorter and longer term targets in order to enable the science, technology and innovation sector to become an instrument to drive and realise the 8th national socio-economic development plan,” he told the meeting.

The Party and government of Laos has attached great importance to the development of science and technology, reflected by the fact that the development needs of the sector have been incorporated in the constitution, laws and resolutions of the Party Congress, the deputy minister said.

Given that a lot more work needs to be done to develop science and technology in Laos, Mr Houmphanh said the workshop would provide an opportunity for Lao policy developers to learn and share best practices with international experts so that the lessons could contribute to the development of the relevant policies in Laos.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Laos, Partners Promote Int’l Humanitarian Law

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Laos will partner with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the international community at large to raise awareness and understanding of the International Humanitarian Law, as part of the State Parties’ obligations.

This was the key statement delivered yesterday by the Director General of the Department of Treaties and Law at the Ministry of ForeignAffairs, Mr Phoukhong Sisoulath, when addressing a seminar on related issues.

In his opening remarks, Mr Phoukhong said he appreciated the efforts of the ICRC to make the International Humanitarian Law known worldwide, and its important role in limiting the impact of wars and armed conflicts that have occurred in many parts of the world.

As Laos has been affected by war and armed conflict in the past, its people are cognisant of the impact of war and the adverse consequences of war remnants in the form of UXO.

“The country now enjoys lasting peace which is the highest aspiration of the Lao people,” Mr Phoukhong said.

The importance of the International Humanitarian Law and the treaties and conventions that form its core were the main points of the seminar organised by the department and the ICRC yesterday.

“The ICRC and the Lao Red Cross have worked together since 1999 to promote and disseminate the International Humanitarian Law in Laos. Many sessions and workshops on the law and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement have been held in Vientiane and at the provincial level,” the Head of the ICRC office in Laos, Mr Frank Kuenzi, said.

Mr Kuenzi said the ICRC’s mission includes the promotion and dissemination of the law, adding “The International Humanitarian Law, and the respect of its principles and provisions by all parties to a conflict, are of utmost importance since we witness in many parts of the world an escalation of protracted situations of conflict and a multiplication of actors involved in those conflicts.”

“Ensuring the knowledge and the respect of the provisions of the law is an obligation. It is in times of peace that preparations for a deterioration of the situation, leading potentially to conflicts, should be made,” Mr Kuenzi said.

“This is the fourth event organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where we have the opportunity to share knowledge and views on how the law remains relevant even during peacetime,” he added.

Fifty representatives from related line ministries and organisations attended and heard about the main humanitarian-related treaties, in particular the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, as well as Laos’adherence to those treaties.

The seminar was part of the joint effort by the Lao government and the ICRC to raise awareness and understanding of the International Humanitarian Law in Laos.

The seminar was co-chaired by Mr Kuenzi, Mr Phoukhong and the ICRC Regional Legal Adviser, Ms Kelisiana Thynne.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

ASEAN Defence Ministers Vow to Pursue Unity, Stability

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admin
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ASEAN defence ministers have reaffirmed their joint commitment to strengthening solidarity, unity and centrality among ASEAN member countries.

Minister of National Defence Lieutenant General Chansamone Chanyalath reiterated the ministers’ stance in his opening remarks at the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Retreat and ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting, taking place in Vientiane from November 15-17.

This means that we intend to build ASEAN into a region of peace, stability, security and development in line with the ASEAN Vision 2025, he said.

Lt. Gen. Chansamone said cooperation through the ADMM has been continuously progressing, resulting in a number of achievements.

Such progress can be seen through the establishment of new cooperative mechanisms and other related activities, he said.

But Lt. Gen. Chansamone observed that ASEAN is still facing traditional and non-traditional security threats and challenges, which no single country alone can handle.

This meeting is an important opportunity for us to discuss defence and security issues so we can explore appropriate measures in order to address these challenges in an effective and timely manner, he said.

Lt. Gen. Chansamone was optimistic that the main points discussed in the meeting would pave the way for the enhancement of the ADMM and other related mechanisms in the long run.

He said the meeting would enable ASEAN defence ministers to contribute to the discussion in an active and constructive atmosphere, so that it would result in fruitful outcomes. This convivial atmosphere had brought about amity and understanding, he added.

Lt. Gen. Chansamone said he strongly believed the issues discussed would be another solid foundation for future ASEAN defence and security cooperation.

In order to accomplish the intended goals, he asked all ASEAN defence ministers to work closely and persevere as they attempted to address existing and future security challenges.

This would enable them to promote peace, stability, security and prosperity for the ASEAN Community in line with this year’s 10th ADMM theme: Promoting Defence Cooperation for a Dynamic ASEAN Community.

During the meeting, Lt. Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath congratulated Mr Delfin Lorenzana on his new position as Secretary of National Defence of the Republic of the Philippines.

The Republic of the Philippines will be the next chair of 11th ADMM, 4th ADMM-Plus and other related meetings next year.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Two Road Improvement Projects Halted in Huaphan

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The construction of two transport routes in Huaphan province has been suspended because of lack of road construction heavy equipment to complete the required works and also associated financial problems among the contractors.

Minister of Public Works and Transport, Dr Bounchan Sinthavong told National Assembly (NA) members about the halt to road construction in Huaphan at the meeting of the ongoing session.

One road has just been assigned to a new construction company after AB Company suspended the construction of the 30-kilometre road with a double layer of asphalt from Nongkhang area in Xamneua to Aed district.

AB Company previously had construction slated for 36 months at the cost of about 224 billion kip with the provincial government to repay the company upon completion of the project.

However AB Company discontinued the work after construction was 70 percent complete.

The new firm that will carry out the construction of this road is Chinese, with the work now scheduled to be completed in 2018. We expect that the Chinese company will restart construction this month, he said.

But the other road, which is about 31 km long linking Xamtay to Kuan districts at a cost of 367 billion kip, has yet to find a new company after Daoheuangsong Company suspended works on the route.

Governor of Xamtay district, Mr Hinthong Luangchansouk told Vientiane Times on Wednesday that the work stopped when the improvement of the road was 24 percent complete.

Right now it is still not known which company will be assigned to continue the works because the relevant provincial sectors and Daoheuangsong Company are assessing how much money the company had paid after it suspended works at 24 percent.

The province will refer responsibility of building the road with a double layer of asphalt from Xamtay to Kuan districts to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport after it has cleared its debt with the company.

Upgrading the road from Xamtay to Kuan districts will soon become a responsibility of the ministry to continue. It was noted that Huaphan has seen that this route will be part of a national road in the future.

Mr Hinthong explained that the road from Xamtay to Kuan may be a part of the Vientiane-Hanoi highway.

Laos is preparing to undertake a feasibility study with Laos and Vietnam for a Vientiane-Hanoi highway project to bring the two capital cities closer to one another through the completion of the 760-kilometre highway link .

The governments of Laos and Vietnam strongly support the improvement of these roads to develop the economic potential of the north-eastern corridor in order to support investment, trade and tourism in the region.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

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