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Laos, China Prosecutors Confirm to Strengthen Future Cooperation

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The Office of Supreme People’s Prosecutor of Laos and China’s equivalent organization made a commitment in Vientiane on November 8 to further strengthen the existing cooperation between the two prosecutors.

The bilateral commitment focusing on mutual cooperation in the framework of technical terms of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor in the northern provinces of Laos is to ensure that future cooperation is fruitful.

The commitment was made at a meeting between Director of the Office of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor of Laos Khamsan Souvong, and the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor of the People’s Republic of China Cao Jianming.

The main purpose of Mr Jianming’s visit to Laos is to attend the 10th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference which is being held from Nov 8 – 11 in Vientiane Capital.

At the talks, both sides noted that the two countries have been witnessing the constant growth of bilateral cooperation over the past years.

The representatives of the two countries exchanged points of view regarding the implementation of the MoU signed by the two countries, the effectiveness of formal exchanges of visits by high-ranking official delegations of the two countries, and the extent to which the knowledge and capacity of the prosecutors could be improved with the help of China.

 

Source: KPL

51st Meeting of ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information Held

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Representatives of ASEAN member countries met in Vientiane on Tuesday for the 51st Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information to discuss creative and relevant projects to further raise ASEAN awareness and deepen understandings among the people of ASEAN countries.

The meeting was held under Lao-ASEAN Chairmanship in 2016 along with other ASEAN meetings currently being held in Vientiane.

Recently, the 15th and 16th ASCC Council Meetings were organized in Luang Prabang and Vientiane with productive success. Several important documents of culture were endorsed by ASEAN Socio-Cultural Council (ASCC) ministers namely: the Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration on Culture and Arts to promote ASEAN’s Identity towards a Dynamic and Harmonious ASEAN Community, the Vientiane Declaration on Reinforcing Cultural Heritage Cooperation in ASEAN, and other related documents.

The ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information is one of the oldest institutions of ASEAN. COCI and its two sub committees SCC/SCI have played a key role in raising awareness among the people of ASEAN countries over the years. Activities such as the ASEAN Quiz have done much to educate people, particularly young people in the region, about ASEAN’s cultural diversity.

During the opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Savanakhone Razmountry highly valued the contributions and efforts of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information in developing and implementing a series of important projects on culture and information, for instance, the ASEAN TV News Exchange (ATN), ASEAN in Action (AiA) now known as the Voice of ASEAN-Beyond Boundaries, and some other projects under SCC.

“All the projects are highly appreciated by AMRI (ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information) and AMCA (ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture & Arts) and considered as recurring projects carried out for two decades,” said Mr Savankhone.

“Our meeting today is to follow up on the outcomes of previous meetings.  I strongly believe that, through kind consideration, consultation and active participation on the part of all of us, ASEAN Colleagues as well as the ASEAN Secretariat, the meeting today will be crowned as a great success,” said Director General of the International Cooperation Department Bounleuane Boupha.

 

Source: KPL

Korean Companies Eye Trade Expansion in Laos

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One-on-one business consultations were held between company representatives from the Republic of Korea and Lao buyers in Vientiane yesterday as part of efforts to boost international business cooperation.

The consultation meeting was a part of the Chungnam Trade Mission 2016 which was organised by the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the commercial section of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Laos.

The trade mission is an event where representatives of selected Korean SMEs visit Laos to meet and consult with Lao importers. During this event, both Korean and Lao companies carefully consider whether they could become business partners and successfully introduce new products to the Lao market.

During the Chungnam Trade Mission 2016, delegates of six Korean companies from Chungnam province and about 20 Lao buyers were present.

Various products were introduced at the venue, such as PIR panels, PUR panels, sanitary napkins, diapers, seasoned lavers, cosmetics, onion/garlic salt, aronia granules, and red ginseng extract.

While missions are held about four to six times a year, the Chungnam Trade Mission 2016 will be the last trade mission this year.

According to an official from KOTRA, trade missions this year have created various opportunities that have assisted the formation of business partnerships between Korean and Lao companies.

KOTRA will continue hosting trade missions in the following years as well as other such events, aiming to effectively promote bilateral trade and cooperation between the two countries.

Around 100 Korean businesses are already in operation in Laos, and Korea has become the fifth largest foreign investor in the country.

However, taking into account the rate of economic growth in Laos, averaging over 7 percent per year, and the two countries’ complementary economic structures, the Korean side believes that Laos still has much room for the further expansion of investment cooperation in the years ahead.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1995, the two countries have witnessed a 24-fold increase in bilateral trade and investment; Korea’s total investments in Laos amounted to US$1.03 billion as of last year.

The number of Korean people travelling to Laos has also increased year by year and reached about 165,000 last year.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Dentists Get Lesson on Infection Control

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The University of Health Sciences will continue to teach hygiene and infection control to dentists in order to provide a safe care and working environment in dental clinics and hospitals in Laos.

This was the message from Vice President of the University of Health Sciences, Dr Aloungnadeth Sitthiphanh, who addressed the opening ceremony of a Training Course on Infection Control in Dental Clinics, held in Luang Prabang province this week.

He said that since the beginning of 2016, the university’s Faculty of Dentistry has been running a series of training sessions to help dentists and oral health technicians to improve their work.

A video on the subject was produced by the faculty and was distributed to all participants. Training sessions started in Vientiane in February and March, then extended to LuangPrabang with the first session held this week.

This training aims to enhance knowledge and understanding of dental healthcare safety for both dentist and patient, and to prevent the risk of contamination from dental services and the dental clinic, said Dr Aloungnadeth.

During the training, the standard precautions were presented, including hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (gloves, masks and eyewear), respiratory hygiene /cough prevention, sharp safety, and clean and disinfected surfaces.

There was also a presentation on the importance of fluoride in the prevention of dental decay and the iodised-fluoridated salt programme in Laos.

Participants agreed that the session was very successful and provided dentists with information on basic infection prevention recommendations for all dental health care settings.

Deputy Head of the Luang Prabang provincial Health Department, Dr Niphone Simphaly, and representatives of the French NGO Aide Odontologique Internationale, dentists from the provincial hospital and six district hospitals and healthcare professionals from the food and drug division and mother and child division also attended the training session.

Source: Vientiane Times

Ministry Calls for Tougher Action to Stamp Out Corruption

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Government bodies should do more to weed out and prevent corruption, using the methods put in place by the Party and state.

This was the main message of a meeting held on Monday to disseminate and explain the content of the 3rd National Inspection Meeting and provide instruction on inspection procedures.

Party committees and leading officials were advised to raise public awareness of the importance of complying with the law and encourage people to stay away from corruption, as a first step in preventing systemic corruption.

The meeting was organised by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to inform ministry officials about various issues relating to inspection and corruption. It was attended by Minister Prof. Dr Bosengkham

Source: Vientiane Times

Vongdara and other ministry officials.

Participants were keen to learn about inspection methods in relation to corruption, which is a corrosive practice that is causing huge losses to the public interest and is an obstacle to social and economic development.

People all across the country have been attempting to combat corruption by various means and measures that have been agreed upon by the global community.

Participants and committees in charge were asked to share their knowledge and skills in carrying out inspections and fighting corruption.

The Party and state have always considered the campaign against corruption to be of great importance. Since 1982, the government has provided directions for dealing with underhand activities in state administrative bodies and amongst public officials, and for preventing corruption.

The Party Central Committee has issued resolutions and regulations in relation to anti-corruption measures.

The National Assembly adopted the first Law on Anti-Corruption in 2005, which was subsequently promulgated by the President.

This law was subsequently amended and re-promulgated in December 2012. The Law on Anti-Corruption is the primary reference for every organisation in Laos in the prevention and combatting of corruption.

Corruption is not only widely practised by provincial bureaucrats, but also at the highest levels of government, according to officials in charge.

From 2012 to 2014, Laos lost more than 1 trillion kip (US$123 million) to corruption, according to a report presented to the National Assembly.

In addition, Laos has issued bonds worth several hundred billion kip to firms that failed to carry out road construction in Oudomxay province, according to the Ministry of Finance, adding to recent losses.

The current government is trying to strengthen anti-corruption measures through the development and amendment of legislation and by improving organisational mechanisms.

Source: Vientiane Times

Laos Reports on Science and Technological Progress in ASEAN

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Senior officials from Laos joined the 9th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (IAMMST-9) and ASEAN Committee meeting on Science and Technology in Cambodia recently, aiming to further research and development in the sector.

Laos has a defined plan and strategy for this sector, which focuses on developing scientific and technological thought and innovation as well as the development of human resources, officials reported at the meeting.

Meanwhile the Lao government has confirmed that it will implement the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Houmphanh Intrarath told ASEAN delegates in Siem Reap, Cambodia that Laos has cooperated with regional and international counterparts to further development in the sector and exchange experience in the field of science and technology.

I would like to say that it has been a great honour for me to chair several meetings and truly it was a great experience too, Mr Houmphanh said.

We believe that the achievements that have been made so far could not have been realised without the active participation of each of the delegates.

During the meeting, ASEAN ministers adopted the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation 2016-2025 Implementation Plan (APASTI).

Ministers noted the two planned Calls for Project Proposals in January and July 2017, funded by the ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Fund to support activities under APASTI, Mr Houmphanh said.

Noting the importance of innovation as a key driver for the ASEAN economy, the ministers agreed to develop an ASEAN Declaration on Innovation for adoption by ASEAN Leaders in 2017, and tasked the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) to formulate it, he added.

Mr Houmphanh went on to explain the ASEAN COST achievements from November 2015 to October 2016, noting some that have been accomplished in research and development.

In addition, I would like to express my gratitude for the effort and energy put into the conduct of all ASEAN activities over the last year, he added.

The ministers highlighted the need to support and motivate Asean researchers in the field of science, technology and innovation as part of preparations for the changing economic landscape, where creativity and innovation are required for ASEAN to remain relevant and competitive.

The IAMMST-9 meeting was chaired by the Minister of Industry and Handicrafts of Cambodia, Dr Cham Prasidh, and attended by science and technology ministers and senior officials from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, the Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Mr Le Luong Minh and his staff were also in attendance.

Source: Vientiane Times

Deeper Understanding Vital for Better Sanitation in Borikhamxay

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Despite some progress, Thaphabath district in Borikhamxay province still needs to increase local people’s understanding of the importance of improvements to sanitation.

People in target villages still don’t understand the importance of this work as many families are poorly informed about the need for good hygiene and still don’t understand why it is necessary, a district health official said.

Head of the district health office, Dr Kaikeo Luangphanh, was speaking recently at a ceremony to announce the district’s success at achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, noting the achievement follows the government’s efforts to improve sanitation and hygiene, and therefore the health and well-being of communities.

He said Thaphabath had witnessed progress in the health sector with many residents in target villages having access to health services. However, many people were still not accessing health services because they are poor and health workers are not sufficiently informed about sanitation.

Since 2009 the district had been distributing and collecting healthcare information about communities according to government policy, he said.

Health officials and village volunteers have been collecting information from villages about issues that seriously affect the safety and quality of care given to mothers and newborns and other problems with regard to community health. As a result, local people have been given access to more health services, he added.

He said the authorities have been targeting healthcare for preschool age children as they were most at risk from poor sanitation.

Acute respiratory infections and diarrhoeal diseases are the main cause of infant mortality and are related to unclean water, poor hygiene, and a lack of sanitation.

Thaphabat district now has about 27,000 people including children and women in 26 villages using toilets and no one is practising open defecation.

There are now six dispensaries, 66 community-based distributors, 13 midwives assisting in childbirth, and 18 pharmacies in the district.

A senior official from the Ministry of Health said the ministry was trying to improve standards of care. We’re looking at improving assistance for deliveries in a comprehensive way, so we’re boosting standards of healthcare and improving the services offered by doctors and nurses at hospitals and dispensaries at both the central and district levels.

It is crucial for those living in remote rural areas to understand the link between basic sanitation and improved health.

The contrast between urban and rural populations using improved sanitation is significant. In Laos, 91 percent of urban dwellers use improved sanitation compared with 48 percent of people living in rural areas.

Source: Vientiane Times

Round Table Meeting Aims to Advance Laos’ Development

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Vientiane province will host the 2016 Round Table Implementation Meeting (RTIM) from November 24-25.

Preparations included arrangements for security, accommodation, provision of equipment for use during meetings, and transport, with all of these now in place.

Vientiane provincial Vice Governor Ms Singkham Khongsavanh yesterday told a press conference held at the Ministry of Planning and Investment about the preparations for the meeting.

Based on our capacity and experience in hosting important events for government bodies in past years, our province and people are ready to welcome both Lao delegations and representatives of our development partners, Ms Singkham said.

Yesterday’s meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment DrKikeoChanthaboury and UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator MsKaarinaImmonen.

The RTIM will be attended by more than 300 government officials and representatives of development partners to take stock of achievements and challenges, and discuss their future collaboration on national development priorities.

Round Table Implementation Meetings are part of the national Round Table Process, a mechanism to ensure the maximum impact of development efforts, according to UNDP.

The meetings are held to ensure the agreed priorities are put into action. The Round Table process also includes 10 Sector Working Groups to coordinate actions by theme in what is a pivotal year, with the launch of the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and of a new global development agenda, with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at its core.

At yesterday’s press briefing, DrKikeo said This year, Sector Working Groups have played an important role in supporting the government and its development partners in jointly progressing towards the objectives of the 8th NSEDP from 2016-2020 at the national and provincial levels.

The plan is vital to ensuring that Laos graduates from least developed country status by 2020, he said.

DrKikeo said the Round Table meeting will cover the government’s strategic development policies in promoting economic growth, stability and inclusion; boosting human development through improved food security and nutrition, health and education; and ensuring development is sustainable and helps mitigate climate change.

In addition to reviewing progress made, the participants will exchange views on emerging policy issues and priorities in 2017, and on ways for approaching these in a coordinated manner, while being mutually accountable, predictable and focused on results.

Dedicated panel discussions will focus on the localisation of the global SDGs; effective development cooperation to translate the national development agenda into action; food and nutrition security; and green growth, climate change and disaster preparedness.

This year marks many significant achievements in Laos, including the successful ASEAN Summit in Vientiane in September as well as the significant progress of integrating the global 2030 Development Agenda into the 8th NSEDP,Ms Immonen said.

This indicates that the partnership between the government and the development community is becoming stronger, more diverse and more inclusive.

The Vientiane Declaration on the Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation and key documents will be also launched during the upcoming Round Table meeting.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

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