Home Blog Page 6461

Switzerland Revives Agriculture and Forestry College in Laos

By
Laotian Times
-
Laos sets goal for 70 percent forest cover by 2025

The Swiss government has granted US$4.2 million for the third phase of the Support to the Reform of the Agriculture and Forestry Colleges (SURAFCO) project in Laos.

The objective of SURAFCO is to reinforce the quality and practical teaching in all five Agriculture and Forestry Colleges of Laos. The program is set to run from 2017 to 2020.

The technical support to accomplish the project is provided by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation and will focus on improving skills-based education, management of the colleges, campus infrastructure, updating teaching equipment, facilitating knowledge distribution and exchange events.

An agreement was signed on Monday by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr Phouangparisak Pravongviengkham and Director of Cooperation for the Mekong Region of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Mr Tim Enderlin.

The renewed funding assists in the development of proficient human resources required to promote the modernisation of the agricultural and forestry sector in Laos.

The donation to the Reform Strategy of the Government of Laos will boost the number of qualified agricultural and extension workers in the public sector, employees in the private sector, self-employed farmers and entrepreneurs who can accompany the transition from subsistence-based to market-based agriculture.

The project has allowed the country to advance towards a commercial based agriculture system and provides the quality of human resources required by the public and private agricultural sectors.

The SURAFCO project has transformed the Northern Agriculture and Forestry College in Luang Prabang province into a centre of excellence for relevant upland agriculture education.

The five Agriculture and Forestry Colleges nationwide have benefited from the experience and are utilizing the same skills-based and student-centred curriculum. The nationally revised curriculum consists of 60 percent practical teaching and 40 percent theory to qualify for a higher diploma.

Within 2 years of graduating, 80 percent of graduates from the first two project phases between 2009 and 2016, had successfully found employment or were self-employed. Feedback from the public and private sector employers reveal that the education is seen as relevant and that graduates are capable of sufficiently applying what they’ve learned to their trade.

Mr Enderlin stated that  SURAFCO project responded to the needs of destitute rural communities and contributed to the country’s efforts to reduce poverty.

Authorities Order Closure of 253 Furniture Factories in Savannakhet

By
Laotian Times
-
Laotian Times Illegal Furniture Factories in Savannakhet

During the cabinet monthly meeting for February, the Task Force Committee that was assembled by the cabinet, was instructed to continue carrying out the government’s order to regulate wood processing businesses across the country, and to address unlawful business operations and illegal logging.

An order directing district officials to take action was recently issued by authorities to ensure the closure of all furniture factories will be complete by the scheduled deadline.

253 family-owned furniture plants have been ordered to shut down indefinitely by Savannakhet provincial authorities, several operating without business licenses, while  the remainder fail to meet set standards.

Director of the Industry and Commerce Department of the central province Mr Sithon Nanthalath, reported that an estimated 166 plants are in violation of operating a business without the proper licenses; while the 87 remaining plants that were approved by districts’ authorities failed to meet the standard requirements.

“District officials in charge are required to report progress [in this regard] every Wednesday,” Mr Sithon stated, adding that the reports would then be passed on to higher authorities.

The director stressed that these plants will be shut down and the owners will not be eligible to register or legalise their businesses.

In its effort to regulate wood processing businesses and address illegal logging, the government has seized large quantities of timber logged illegally.

Recently, the department carried out a bidding process to auction off more than 716 cubic metres of seized timber, fetching more than 1.3 billion kip.

Numerous pieces of equipment that were used to illegally harvest timber, particularly chainsaws, have been seized and destroyed.

The province’s most recent demonstration of enforcing this law, is executing the government’s order to shut down 1,154 family furniture plants across the country that are in illegal operation.

The government has also ordered 28 sawmills to cease operations, which are located in conservation forest areas violating the relevant laws. Of those, 12 have already been shut down and the 16 remaining sawmills will continued to be eliminated by the province authorities.

The taskforce committee was reminded to thoroughly investigate and identify parties engaged in the unlawful harvesting and exporting of timber, as well as those affiliated with these illicit crimes, with the intention to bring the criminals to justice.

 

Lao Airlines to Reboot Inflight Magazine, Open for Advertising

By
Laotian Times
-
Official Inflight Magazine of Lao Airlines
Official Inflight Magazine of Lao Airlines

The Lao Airlines inflight magazine, Champa Meuanglao, is to undergo a drastic change as part of a reboot that will showcase a modern and sophisticated Laos.

Production of the inflight magazine has been awarded to SMP Consultants, in partnership with RDK Group. The two companies will draw on their experience in business consulting, media and publishing to breathe new life into the magazine for the benefit of passengers on Lao Airlines flights.

With a newly designed logo, the revamped, bi-monthly publication will, like its parent airline, reflect an evolving Laos, showcasing the country’s arts and culture scene, world-famous cuisine and enduring popularity as a travel destination.

Lao Airlines Magazine Champa Meuanglao

Champa Meuanglao, the Lao Airlines magazine, will also focus on business innovation and the rapid development of Vientiane as a commercial hub in the region.

In addition to the editorial content, readers have come to rely on the advertisements in the magazine as an easy, time-efficient way to find about products and services in Laos and in the destination countries to which Lao Airlines flights travel. In a peaceful, serene environment such as an aeroplane seat, adverts stand the best possible chance for recall.

Champa Meuanglao Magazine is the nation’s prime vehicle for getting an advertiser’s message in front of the people that matter.

The benefits that advertisers can expect include:

–        a captive audience of over 900,000 passengers a year

–        distribution to hotels and ticketing offices throughout the country and in the region

–        a two-month shelf life making it more cost-effective than daily or weekly advertising vehicles

–        quality advertising production

–        ad sizes and styles to meet various budgets

For more information, contact the sales department at advertising@champameuanglao.com or by phone at  +85620 55555521, ,+856 20 55285580, or  +85620 55731717.

Officials to Crack Down on Illegal Workers in Laos

By
Laotian Times
-
Foreign Workers in Laos

As part of government efforts to strictly monitor foreign nationals working in the country, the labour and security sectors are set up to register and issue temporary work permits to foreign workers.

The issue of migrants entering the country to work illegally  is a continuing and controversial problem in Laos.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare reported that approximately 24,000 foreign workers were registered over the last year, the majority of them being Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai nationals.

The report was disclosed at a meeting held earlier in the week on the assessment and insight from the previous registration and issuing of temporary work permits to foreign workers.

A total of 24,372 foreign workers have been issued temporary work permits nationwide.

Foreign workers are broken down into two sectors for registration purposes.

Those that fall under the first sector, which consists of vendors or people who operate a business in compliance with set regulations as well as those who work in the business and service sectors, on investment projects, or in special and specific economic zones, are eligible for six-month and one-year statuses.

Those who fall under the second sector, which is allocated to itinerant vendors, people engaged in the breeding of livestock, and those who operate beauty salons, coffee shops, karaoke bars and game shops or those business owners not yet operating with the necessary licence, is eligible for three month status.

An initial timeframe was set for mid-December 2015 to mid-March 2016 by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare along with the Ministry of Public Security, however the project has only just completed at the end of September,  2016.

Authorities from both sectors will continue to inspect foreign workers after their work permits have expired.

Additionally, training for officials in both sectors will be given to increase their efficiency in the candid enforcement of the law.

Officials aim to regulate the multiplying number of undocumented workers in Laos while simultaneously generating more revenue for the state budget.

As the development of Laos proceeds, the country requires workers, especially foreign workers for current railway and power projects.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare recently reported that a target to introduce 658,000 labourers by 2020 has been set  to meet the constant growing demand for labour in Laos.

Strict enforcement of the labor law set forth, will allow foreign nationals to work in Laos legally while also assisting them to adhere to other employment regulations.

Lao Airlines aims for Direct Route to Tokyo for Passengers

By
Laotian Times
-
Lao Airlines Flight to Japan

Lao Airlines has announced plans to provide its passengers with a direct flight between Vientiane and Tokyo, Japan.

Though not much has been detailed in the airline’s plans to introduce the service as of yet, it has been confirmed that the flight is expected to make a stop in Nagasaki on one sector of the journey between Vientiane and Tokyo.

The airline is expected to release more information on its new routes at a press conference in the near future.

Due to a codeshare agreement between Lao Airlines and Thai Airways International, passengers currently travelling to Japan need to fly from Vientiane to Bangkok, and then board a connecting flight to reach Japan.

However, before the demand for a direct flight to Japan can be fulfilled, Lao Airlines must equip itself with an aircraft  suitable to fly nonstop to Japan, which is beyond the range of any of its aircraft currently.

The airline currently operates domestic routes to Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Pakse, Savannakhet, Vientiane and Xieng Khuang.  On international routes it serves Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Guangzhou, Kunming, Jinghong, Chengdu, Singapore, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Seoul and Busan.

Laos and Vietnam to build Vientiane-Hanoi Highway

By
Laotian Times
-
proposed highway from vientianet to hanoi

The Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport, in collaboration with The Vietnamese Ministry of Transport, have agreed to implement the next step towards building a highway connecting the two countries’ capitals this year.

Laos and Vietnam will assemble a research team, work with the sponsors and seek more investments.  A detailed plan will be established between the two ministries that will allow Laos to be more effective in expediting the transit of goods to and from Vietnam.

A feasibility study is set to be completed by the Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA), on a 500 km-long railway that links Vientiane to Vung Ang Industrial Zone in Vietnam.

The Laotian and Vietnamese ministries of transport will partner up with KOICA to conclude the study this year and submit their analysis to the governments involved.

The agreement to build the railway to connect Vientiane and Vung Ang Zone, and the highway that connects the two capitals, was signed on September 14, 2015.

It is part of the strategic agreement around their partnership on transport for 2016-2025, with a projected vision towards 2030.

The projects are expected to increase trade development for both Laos and Vietnam, and is the first step to re-imagining Laos as a regional freight hub.

Vietnam’s long coast and the central position of Laos in ASEAN will be utilized to advance the economies of both countries.

Both countries will benefit from the infrastructure and arrangement; Laos will have access to use Vietnam’s ports, and  Vietnam will have access through Laos importing and exporting goods.

Story & Photo: Vietnamnet

Thai Soap Star’s Husband Guilty of Laundering Xaysana Money

By
Laotian Times
-
Thai Celebrity Benz Linked to Xaysana

The husband of Thai celebrity, Napapa “Patt” Tantrakul,  was formally charged Monday with money laundering for his connection to transnational Laotian drug lord, Xaysana Keopimpha.

Akarakit Worarojcharoendet, or “Benz Racing,” is accused of conspiring to launder money with a friend for the narcotics network formerly operated by Xaysana, who was arrested in Bangkok two months prior. Akarakit had no comment pertaining his case as he arrived at the Narcotics Suppression Bureau.

“I’d like to thank all the reporters for coming here to wait for me,” Akarakit stated. “As for other parts, I will testify in court.”

Police officially charged the 30-year-old moto racer with a conspiracy count of money laundering and delivered him to court for a custody hearing on Monday morning. Akarakit was granted bail of 500,000 baht by the court, on the condition that he cannot leave the country without prior permission.

Police claim Akarakit aided an associate of Xaysana cover his assets by claiming ownership of a 20 million baht Lamborghini bought with the drug baron’s dirty money.

Money laundering carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

After Xaysana was arrested in Suvarnabhumi airport in January, police raided the homes of numerous targets and interrogated dozens of suspects said to have connections to Xaysana, whom police describe as the most influential drug kingpin in northeastern Thailand.

Pornchai Charoenwong, director of the anti-narcotics bureau, detailed Akarakit as a “middle-tier suspect” in Xayasana’s network. He disputed Akarakit’s past remarks claiming he was unaware the Lamborghini was part of Xayasana’s drug business.

“The investigators don’t believe that,” Maj. Gen. Pornchai said. “We have reasons to believe it’s a conspiracy to commit money laundering. We have witnesses and evidence.”

Xaysana is being held at Bangkok Remand Prison as he awaits trial. Though a specific date for Xaysana’s indictment was not given, it has been confirmed that police are still preparing a case against him for the prosecutor’s office.

As previously reported by The Laotian Times, Laos has not brought up the issue of extradition and the  police major general corroborates that there is no plan to extradite Xaysana.

Largest Forest in Xayaboury to be Opened as Tourist Attraction

By
Laotian Times
-
Forest in Xayaboury

Hoping to draw more people to experience its natural beauty and establish its profile as a tourist destination, Xayaboury Province is opening up its largest forest as one of its visitor attractions.

An official has confirmed that provincial authorities surveyed the forest in Phieng District, which is 80 km from the provincial capital. After surveying the trees and the surrounding area, provincial authorities considered various ways  on how they could develop the forest into a tourist attraction and open it up to the public.

The director of the province’s Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Mr Chanthi Simanichan, has stated

that the biggest trees in Phieng district are maitaekha (Sindora cochinchinensis) and can grow up to an impressive 15 metres in width and more than 10 metres in height. The maitaekha are hundreds of years old and are highly valued for their solid wood.

The area will be of interest to those with an interest in nature and those who can appreciate the preservation of the towering trees surrounding them . There is potential for a variety of outdoor activities for visitors who enjoy the great outdoors, as well as for individuals wanting to study tree species in Laos.

Apart from observing the massive trees and the serenity of nature, there are fascinating caves waiting to be explored, including the beautiful Lobphai Cave.

There are many officially designated tourist sites in Xayaboury Province but due poor road access, reaching tourist sites is difficult and dangerous, particularly during the wet season.

However, provincial authorities plan to build a road to the forest in an effort to bring development to impoverished Phieng District. Mr Chanthi stressed that it is essential to build roads to make more of the sites accessible.

Due to poor road conditions, Mr Chanti urges anyone who is looking to visit the forest to plan ahead and contact the Phieng District Information, Culture and Tourism Office to find out current road hazards.

“The provincial authorities plan to build a dirt road to the forest because there is no road access at present,” Mr Chanthi has stated. “Construction will start this year and then district authorities will officially open the forest area as a new tourist site. Locals and foreigners can visit at any time, but don’t forget to contact the Phieng district Information, Culture and Tourism Office so that officials can provide help”.

Photo: TreetopLaos

1...6,4606,4616,462...6,660Page 6,461 of 6,660