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Laos Gains Access to Seaport in Vietnam

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Laotian Times
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Laos Seaport in Vietnam

A private-state joint company has been given permission by the cabinet to develop the Vung Ang seaport project following Vietnam’s consent for Laos to utilize its’ seaport in Ha Tinh province.

Government spokesman, Prof Dr Chaleun Yiapaoher, confirmed that the agreement was created during the cabinet’s monthly meeting for April and the project’s development concept and direction was approved by officials.

The Vietnamese government has authorized a 50-year concession to Laos to establish and develop the project with the contingency to extend if desired.

With Laos  being notoriously known as the ‘only landlocked country in SouthEast Asia’, this project is considered crucial in enabling ‘landlocked’ Laos access  to a sea trade route, which will significantly decrease transport costs of imports and exports once the project becomes operational.

Prof Dr Chaleun stated that more in-depth discussions will be had by the relevant stakeholders to discuss details of the project, and that the project will be amongst the topics to be reviewed on April 16-27, during the upcoming official visit to Laos by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

A report on the management of good prices in local markets and measures to address the rising price of products were also discussed at the cabinet meeting.

Heritage Conservation Center to Showcase and Preserve Champasack History

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Laotian Times
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champasack

With a new Heritage Conservation Centre on the agenda for Champasack, ancient artifacts and cultural legacies in the southern provinces will soon be on display for both locals and visitors to appreciate and admire.

With the help of the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, the Heritage Department under the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has made plans to establish the US$1.5 million centre, aiming to improve the showcasing, preservation and storage of heritage items of Vat Phou Champasack and other surrounding areas.

Vat Phou Champasack is a Khmer-style temple built in the 5th and 6th centuries A.D. and dedicated to the Hindu deity, Shiva. It is hailed as one of the most significant architectural sites in Southeast Asia, and predates Angkor Wat located in modern day Cambodia.

Settled 800km south of Vientiane, the temple complex was the second in the country to be designated as a world heritage site by the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in 2001 following the historic town of Luang Prabang, first named in 1995.

Submissions for the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang province and Hin Nam Nor National Protected Area in Khammuan province are also being prepared by officials to UNESCO for consideration, with the hope of receiving World Heritage status in the future.

Director General of the Heritage Department under the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Thongbay Phothisane stated, “currently we have to discuss with the involved sectors especially the UNESCO to decide the location to construct the center building before we begin the relevant works”.

Construction for the new Heritage Conservation Centre is set to begin in 2018 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

Three Lao Startups Accepted for the Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism (MIST) Startup Accelerator Program

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Laotian Times
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MIST

The Mekong Business Initiative (MBI) and the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) have announced that three innovative tourism startups from the Lao PDR got accepted for the Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism (MIST) Startup Accelerator program.

More than 250 travel tech and traditional tourism startups applied to the MIST program. The Travel Startups Incubator, based in the United States, screened applications based on their potential for investment and the quality of their business plans. MBI experts performed additional due diligence, considering sustainability and other socio-economic criteria.

Qualifying startups will advance to a MIST Startup Accelerator bootcamp from May 5 to 7, 2017 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, alongside 17 innovative tourism startups from Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam. Market experts (including Deputy Director of TMG Cong Nguyen, Investment Director of Gobi Ventures Victor Chua and Founder of Triip.me Hai Ho) will mentor startups at the bootcamp.

Qualifiers from the Lao PDR include:

Artisan Origins by TAEC offers authentic, traditional and high quality crafts from rural ethnic communities in Lao PDR. It also includes a café and information center for traditional arts and ethnic communities.

Ma Te Sai preserves cultural heritage while developing skills and offering employment options for youth in the remote and rural areas in Lao PDR, including Nambak. It also includes a multipurpose information center and roadside café.

Passa Paa is a design and print boutique studio in Luang Prabang creating and selling innovative Hmong-inspired textiles that promote traditional textile culture with a modern appeal.

“MIST promotes sustainable tourism, giving innovative startups the potential to transform travel in one of the most dynamic regions on earth”, said Jens Threanhart, executive director of MTCO.

Dominic Mellor, head of the MBI, added, “We’re proud of this batch of startups. They are fueling the right kind of tourism growth that positively impacts the tourism experience and local communities”.

Approximately half of all Startup Accelerator finalists, selected by mentors during the Siem Riep bootcamp, will advance from the bootcamp to an investor showcase at the Mekong Tourism Forum in Luang Prabang on June 6, 2017. There, startups will present their business plans to media, investors and an expert judging panel. Ultimately, four will receive innovation grants of $7,000-$10,000 USD.

About MIST: MIST is a leading tourism accelerator for Asia’s top growth markets, giving startups everything they need to launch successfully, achieve profitability, create jobs and impact communities in the Greater Mekong Region. In addition to grants up to $10,000, the MIST startup accelerator offers exposure, connections to local stakeholders and ecosystems, individualized coaching and the chance to network with investors and global accelerator programs. MIST is a joint project of the Mekong Business Initiative (MBI) and the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO). On Facebook: Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism.

About the Mekong Business Initiative (MBI) – MBI is an advisory facility that promotes private sector development in Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Myanmar, and Vietnam. MBI fosters development of the innovation ecosystem by supporting business advocacy, alternative finance and innovation. It is supported by the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Australia. On Facebook: Mekong Business Initiative.

About the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) – MTCO is a collaborative effort between Cambodia, the provinces of Yunnan and Guangxi in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The mission of the MTCO is to help GMS National Tourism Organizations develop and promote the Mekong as a single travel destination, offering a diversity of good quality and high-yielding sub-regional products that help to distribute the benefits of tourism more widely; add to the tourism development efforts of each GMS destination; contribute to poverty reduction, gender equality and empowerment of women; and minimize any adverse impacts of tourism through the development of a sustainable industry. On social media: @TourismMekong.

Dengue Fever Cases Surge From Previous Year

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Laotian Times
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dengue fever
dengue fever

With the goal to prevent and control the outbreak of dengue fever, a warning to the public has been issued by the Health Authority of possible outbreaks and awareness on the spreading disease.

According to the Director of the National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology, Dr Phengta Vongphachanh, from January through April of this year alone, an estimated 558 dengue fever cases have been recorded nationwide, a huge jump from the 249 dengue fever cases that were reported around the same time last year.

Recent data collected has indicated that dengue fever infections have had the most impact in Vientiane compared to any other provinces in the country.

There have been 151 dengue fever cases reported in the capital so far, while no outbreaks had been reported this time in 2016.

120 dengue fever infections have been recorded in Champassak, while about 115 dengue fever cases have been reported in Attapeu and other provinces.

Last year, Champassak lost 6 people to dengue fever and reported the highest number of outbreaks across the country.

Dr Phengta Vongphachanh stated that increasing public awareness on the disease is one of the main strategies to reduce the risk of dengue transmission.

Local officials and health authorities are actively urging residents to clear potential mosquito breeding sites around their homes and workplaces to help tame the spread of the virus, aiming at long-term prevention rather than treatment on a case to case basis.

Dr Phengta urges all homes, schools, factories, hotels, restaurants and offices to discard any water that collects in jars, vases and dishes and should take precaution with all stagnant water in the area.

 

Team BUG5 becomes the first Laotian team to compete at Imagine Cup Regional Finals

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Laotian Times
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Laos-Team-BUG5-Imagine-Cup-Thailand

Team BUG5, a group of three young innovators from Laos has earned the nomination to represent Laos in the South East Asia Regional Final Round of 15th Microsoft Imagine Cup 2017, Microsoft’s global accelerator program to empower the next generation of computer science students. They will make history as the very first Laotian team to be qualified for Imagine Cup regional finals.

Team BUG5 was able to compete and win against teams from multiple countries; Myanmar, Cambodia and Brunei. The team is going to participate in the South East Asian New Markets regional final round, to be held in Philippines from April 23 to April 27. Their project, is a solution for visually impaired people to be able to use smart phones like anyone else. Second place was won by team Arcane from Cambodia and Team one from Brunei won the third place

Winning team members; Thanongsine Chanthakham, Khatthaphone Tamongsoumuangxay and Saiphin Phetamphone are all students of National University of Laos, Faculty of Engineering, Division of Computer Emerging and Information Technology.

“We have learned that there are 285 million people estimated to be visually impaired, 39 million are blind and 246 million have low vision per reports of World Health Organization. Those people live their lives without seeing the world. If we cannot see the world around us, even the easiest day to day task can be very challenging. Smartphones have changed our lives but smartphones are not designed for people with low vision to use it easily. We wanted to find a technological solution for visually impaired people so that they can start using a smart phone like any of us would do.” Said the Team Captain, Thanongsine Chanthakham.

10 Winning teams, one each from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Srilanka, Nepal, Laos and Bangladesh will take part at the competition at Manila in Philippines. Top 7 teams from SEA Finals move to World Finals.

Michelle Simmons, General Manager – South East Asia New Markets, Microsoft APAC said, “Imagine Cup is our flagship program to nurture young innovative talent and highlight the incredible solutions they dream up to change the world. Every year we are inspired by the level of creativity, talent, skills and vision projected by these young students throughout the selection process of Imagine Cup. I am pleased that this year we have a winning team from Laos for the first time who will compete against 9 other teams from countries across the region. I wish Team BUG5 and all other teams success at the South-East Asia Regional Finals.”

This year, over 100 countries are expected to compete at various rounds and top 30 teams worldwide will head to Redmond for the world Finals competition round. Microsoft Imagine Cup is a global competition that empowers the next generation of computer science students to team up and use their creativity, passion and knowledge of technology to create applications that shape how we live, work and play. Every year tens of thousands of students from across the globe compete for cash, travel and prizes and for the honor of taking home the Imagine Cup.

Over the years, the competition has given the world promising young innovators and entrepreneurs platforms to work with their ideas and take it to the next level. It has become one of the biggest accelerator programs in the world with the backing of Microsoft, one of most notable global tech giants.

 

Ministry of Finance Opens Hotline for Public

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admin
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This Facebook link thumbnail image template was created by Christian Karasiewicz, owner of www.christiankonline.com

The Prime Minister’s Office has established a hotline for the general public to utilize, if and when members of the community  wish to be heard about concerns they may have on financial matters.

Thanks to Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, the Ministry of Finance has opened a hotline ‘1519’ so that members of the public now have a proper channel to direct their concerns towards. According to the ministry, ‘1519’ has been activated as of April 7th.

Concerns raised by the public will be discussed by relevant officials on  “Finance and Development”, a television programme broadcasted via Lao Public Security Television every Friday from 20:30-21:00 and every Saturday from 07:00-07:30.

Comments and complaints will also be addressed on Lao Public Security Radio 105.5 MHz every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 12:30 to 13:00.

In addition, the ministry’s response to the issues will be published in the weekly Finance Newspaper, Vientiane Mai daily, Pasaxon daily, Pathetlao daily and Lao Phatthana daily newspapers.

Towards the end of 2016, the government launched hotline 1516 to encourage the public to provide suggestions and feedback regarding government performance.

Observers commended the initiative, however stressed that it was equally important to ensure the issues raised by the people are taken seriously and addressed in a timely and efficient manner for it to be effective.

Several government bodies currently operate hotlines, encouraging citizens to raise issues or concerns and seek explanations from the relevant bodies. These include the National Assembly (NA), which operates its own hotline ‘156’ during its ordinary sessions.

Drug Lord Xaysana Pleads Not Guilty to Drug Charges

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admin
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This Facebook link thumbnail image template was created by Christian Karasiewicz, owner of www.christiankonline.com

On Tuesday, notorious Lao drug lord Xaysana Keopimpha, aka Vanlob, appeared before the Criminal Court in Bangkok where he plead not guilty to charges filed against him, including smuggling and possession of narcotics.

As previously reported by The Laotian Times, Xaysana was apprehended by Thai police at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in January after returning from Phuket. The alleged international kingpin has been linked to several of Thailand’s rich and high-profiled but has consistently denied being a major player in the regional narcotics trade.

Vanlob has a slew of charges filed against him, including smuggling 1.2 million methamphetamine pills— widely known in Laos as “yaba” or crazy medicine,  into Thailand, and possession with intent to sell.

His lawyer, Vorakon Phongtanakul, has stated that Xaysana has denied all charges being brought against him, even though his client had allegedly signed a confession while in police custody.

While being questioned by authorities, Vanlob had initially confessed to involvement in the illicit activity that occurred in Laos, the Nong Khai immigration checkpoint and various other locations. However, after the indictment he denied all charges made by the prosecution .  

“He didn’t understand Thai laws and officials told him he could change his plea at court,” Vorakon stated.

If Xaysana is found guilty under Thai law, the kingpin could be facing the death penalty, although the country has not seen an execution for any crime since 2009.

A pre-trial examination of evidence has been set by the Criminal Court for June 19th at 9am.

The Golden Triangle- where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Southern China all meet- has been deemed the world’s second largest drug-producing region. Latin America ranks as number one.

Vice President Tackles Corruption Within Organizations

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admin
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Organization directors have been notified by Vice President Phankham Viphavanh that corruption uncovered within their organization, including subordinates serving under their supervision, will not be tolerated and will lead to dismissal.

The motion was put forth to handle and control corruption within the government and to prevent it from escalating any further. The Vice President explained that corruption needed to be extinguished in order to create public trust of leadership of the Party and Government.

“The secretariat of the Party Central Committee has strengthened corruption prevention and suppression measures by making a decision that those who serve as directors of government organisations shall be responsible for any corruption committed in their organisations,” said the vice president.

“Among the problems the Party has attached most importance to and that need urgent address is corruption, which is prevalent at all levels and in all groups of people in the Lao society today, especially corruption committed in the Party and government realms which continues to plague political stability and national security,” he continued.

“If this problem (corruption) remains unaddressed, it will have effects on the leading role of the Party and the national security. The Central Party Committee have discussed this issue so seriously that if corruption and power abuse occur in any organisations, their heads must play a leading role in tackling the problem. If they fail to address it, they would be considered for removal from the post. That is our decision. If a ghost project — a fake project — is invented, the director of the organisation that invents such a ghost project must be first to be punished. We will observe this rule from today onwards,”  the vice president stated.

 

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