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Chinese Firms Sign USD 184m Deals to Buy Goods from Laos

Chinese Firms Sign USD 184m Deals to Buy Goods from Laos

Chinese firms have signed contracts worth CNY 1.3 billion (around USD 184 million) for the purchase of goods from Laos, mainly agricultural products.

The agreements were signed as the 2019 Sino-Laos Investment Fair concluded Friday in Kunming, the capital of the southwestern province of Yunnan, China.

On the same day, a seminar was held at the Kunming International Convention and Exhibition Center to introduce the advantages of the investment environment in Laos. Investment intent agreements were also signed at the event, focusing on tourism, infrastructure development, and agricultural technology, according to a report in Xinhua News.

The event was held by the Investment Promotion Department of the Ministry of Planning and Investment of Laos, in hopes of attracting investment from enterprises in Yunnan and throughout China, and was aimed at enhancing their understanding of Laos’ investment policies and strategies.

The event attracted more than 200 officials and entrepreneurs from both countries, seeking cooperation in trade and investment.

Tornadoes, Earthquakes and Money – This Week in Lao Social Media

Tornadoes, Earthquakes and Money – This Week in Lao Social Media

The Laotian Times brings our readers a round-up of some of the most shared topics this past week, based on reach and engagement on Facebook. From tornadoes and earthquakes to fintech advances and vocal parliament members, this list summarizes the types of content that are wildly consumed on Lao social media.

Affected Victims of Hongsa Earthquake Camp Outside

After an earthquake rocked Hongsa (Sayaboury Province) on Nov 21 compromising the structural integrity of their homes, many affected residents camped outside for the night for fear that the houses would collapse. Pictures show Hongsa residents sleeping inside small camp tents, mosquito nets wrapped around small trees and even in the back of pickup trucks. Other houses have been completely devastated.

#ຕັ້ງແຄ້ມກັນໄວ້ກ່ອນຈາກເຫດການແຜນດິນໄຫວ ໃນຕອນເຊົ້າວັນທີ​ 21​ພະຈິກ​2019​ ຢູ່ເມືອງຫົງສາ, ເມືອງໄຊສະຖານ ແຂວງໄຊຍະບູລີ,​…

Posted by ໂທລະໂຄ່ງ THOLAKHONG on ວັນພະຫັດ ທີ 21 ພະຈິກ 2019

 

Oudomxay Whirlwind

This rare footage of a whirlwind in Oudomxay made it into the social media feeds of over a hundred thousand users. The whirlwind ripped through a provincial traditional textiles trade expo in Bang District, Oudomxay Province, on Nov 21 causing minor damage. The second part of the clip showed a tent structure being forcefully sent into the air, as shocked screams of nearby bystanders could be heard in the background. Comments were filled with laments of Laos’ recent natural disaster plights: the floods in the south, the earthquake, and now a whirlwind.

https://www.facebook.com/tholakhong/videos/774054789707075/

 

Where Two Rivers Meet

A mesmerizing 360-degree aerial shot of the confluence of two rivers (the Mekong and Xun Rivers) was taken and shared by thousands. The picture was taken by a drone in Paksan, Bolikhamxay Province. Lao people love their scenic nature photos!

ເມື່ອ #ນໍ້າຊັນ ມາພົບ #ແມ່ນໍ້າຂອງເມືອງປາກຊັນ, ແຂວງບໍລິຄຳໄຊ

Posted by ໂທລະໂຄ່ງ THOLAKHONG on ວັນພຸດ ທີ 20 ພະຈິກ 2019

Murder in Champasak

On Nov 21 (13:10), Champasak Rescue 1623 reported that a family of three had been killed in their home in Khonelay Village (Paksé). The 60-year-old village chief, his wife, and daughter instantly died from injuries resulting from strong blows to the head. A suspect has been apprehended by the local authorities and an investigation as to the motive of the murder is underway.

Dried pool of blood on the ground as ambulance arrives at the scene of the crime

Customers Demand Smaller Bank Notes From ATMs

Many Lao netizens seem to agree with this public demand for smaller notes when they withdraw cash from automatic teller machines. The post says: “There are only 50000 and 100000 kip notes during withdrawal. The people request that there be smaller bills available – such as 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000 kip notes.

ຖອນເງິນຈາກຕູ້ ເອທີເອັມ ມີແຕ່ເງິນໃບ 50.000, 100.000 ກີບ. ປະຊາຊົນຮຽກຮ້ອງໃຫ້ພິຈາລະນາມີຕູ້ເງິນໃບນ້ອຍ1.000, 2.000, 5.000, 10.000 ແດ່

Posted by ໂທລະໂຄ່ງ THOLAKHONG on ວັນພຸດ ທີ 20 ພະຈິກ 2019

Even Easier to Withdraw Cash

These days, we hold on to our mobile phones more intimately than we do our wallets and purses. That’s why BCEL has given customers a new way to withdraw cash at ATMs. Forgot your ATM card? No matter. Simply use the BCEL One app and use it to scan the barcode presented on the ATM display and enter your 6-digit PIN code. This is a good solution to preventing RFID hacking of bank cards.

https://www.facebook.com/tholakhong/videos/492901277974464/?v=492901277974464

 

Nostalgia over the Old Revolutionary Days with a Lamvong Song

Lao people truly love watching videos, and even more so those from the distant past. The first part of this music video includes a rare clip of President Kaysone Phomvihane and the other leaders of the revolution dancing the lamvong with female members of the Lao military. The footage was released by the Cinema Department (Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism).

ລຳວົງ ແດນດອກຈຳປາ ມິ່ງຂັວນເມືອງລາວ#ຄລິບຫາຊົມໄດ້ຍາກ #ທ່ານຜູ່ນໍາລໍາວົງ

Posted by ໂທລະໂຄ່ງ THOLAKHONG on ວັນອັງຄານ ທີ 19 ພະຈິກ 2019

 

Incident at the Amusement Park

Earlier last week, a video clip circulated on social media of people being stuck at the top of a spinning ride structure in a recently opened amusement park in Vientiane Capital. Many blamed the malfunction on a mechanical defect but the park owners claim that it was due to an insufficiency of power. The district authorities were there to inspect the scene.

ໄດ້ຮັບແຈ້ງຈາກທາງສວນສະໜຸກເປີດໃໝ່ ກໍລະນີ ເຄື່ອງປິ່ນຄ້າງເພີ່ນອະທິບາຍວ່າ ບໍ່ແມ່ນຍ້ອນໄດໄໝ້ ຄືດັ່ງທີ່ຄົນໃນຄລິບເວົ້າ,…

Posted by ໂທລະໂຄ່ງ THOLAKHONG on ວັນອັງຄານ ທີ 19 ພະຈິກ 2019

 

Parliament Member from Phongsaly Speaks His Mind

Chansy Sengsomphou, a representative of Phongsaly (2nd region), spoke freely during a Parliament session. Apart from the issues of low rice production, rising debt, and other economic woes, the Phongsaly rep reminded listeners how the Chinese state dealt with national development.

“By 2019, in China, if a governor of a certain province is unable to eradicate poverty within his area of jurisdiction, he must resign. If a district chief cannot meet poverty eradication goals, he has to resign. This applies to the village chief as well.”

He then facetiously remarked that in Laos, the village chiefs would rejoice if they were made to resign from their posts – highlighting the commonly held perception that the village chief’s job was highly unrewarding.

In order to enhance state revenue targets and prevent leakage, Representative Sengsomphou proposed that state revenue planning and collection be performed by different bodies, making it more difficult for any one body to engage in foul play.

“We can take the example of how the electricity company does it. One division determines the amount that needs to be collected by checking the usage of every household, while another division collects the money. But revenue planning and collection are performed by the same entities in our state finance organ. This could potentially cause bad actors to take advantage of the situation.”

https://www.facebook.com/tholakhong/videos/807134119722235/?v=807134119722235

foodpanda Launches in Laos with Over 300 Restaurants on Board

foodpanda Launches in Laos with Over 300 Restaurants on Board

foodpanda, the on-demand international food delivery service, has officially launched in Laos with over 300 restaurants on board.

Heading to the capital first to open a world of exciting flavors to the residents of Vientiane, foodpanda’s fleet of pink riders will bring meals from over 300 restaurants straight to the homes of customers.

The foodpanda launch ceremony event was opened by foodpanda CEO Jakob Sebastian Angele, in the presence of Bounsaleumxay Kennavong, Deputy Minister of Post and Telecommunications.

foodpanda provides a user-friendly platform that makes it easy for customers to enjoy good food anywhere they are,” says Jakob Sebastian Angele, foodpanda Regional CEO, APAC.

“We are really excited to bring the foodpanda experience to Laos and we look forward to going the extra mile to find the most dazzling dishes to share with our customers,” adds Angele.

Vientiane residents will now be able to order a variety of food directly to their homes, offices or even outdoor hotspots, to share with friends and family or enjoy alone, increasing convenience for customers to access tasty food anytime, anywhere. With the vision to deliver good food across the APAC region, Laos is the ninth country to be a part of the foodpanda family and the aim will be to serve both restaurants and customers in the region of Vientiane to have new avenues to provide and enjoy good food, no matter where they are.

Food Panda Bikes in Vientiane, Laos
Food Panda Bikes in Vientiane, Laos

“foodpanda wants to change the way people see and experience food delivery by efficiently taking care of our customers’ desire to receive food fresh and warm,” said Thanyalat Chaleunsouk, foodpanda Managing Director, Laos. “Whatever our customers crave, we want to help and we will continue to evolve to serve our customers’ needs.”

FoodPanda Laos Managing Director, Thanyalat Chaleunsouk
FoodPanda Laos Managing Director, Thanyalat Chaleunsouk

foodpanda is a simple food order and delivery service offered through a mobile app available for both iOS and Android providing app and web services to allow customers to browse from a large variety of big chains, and well-loved local restaurants to find the perfect meal with optimum convenience. With the ability to track meals, explore new restaurant options, and toggle simply for any deals or specialties required – foodpanda is simplifying food delivery at every step; as they know it is not merely about eating a meal but savoring the experience from start to finish. Customers will also be able to find out the best-selling dishes at each eatery, and read user reviews to aid in their decision-making process.

foodpanda currently has over 300+ curated restaurants available now in Vientiane, between 07:00 – 23:00 Hours daily. To experience the joy of your first foodpanda order, download the app now or visit https://www.foodpanda.la

Laos Engages International Rating Agencies for International Dollar Bond Debut

Laos Engages International Rating Agencies for International Dollar Bond Debut

The Lao Government has engaged Standard Chartered, JP Morgan, and Credit Suisse for its planned international US dollar bond debut.

In December of 2015, Laos sold US$182m worth of dollar bonds in two tranches to institutional investors in Thailand and regularly issues sovereign bonds denominated in Thai baht, but it has yet to offer a bond to international investors.

“China and Thailand are two of Laos’s biggest funding sources but people in Thailand are getting a bit full with the credit and it may need to look elsewhere,” said financial advisor Victor Rattanavong of Kindersen Raleigh & Associates.

It is not yet known whether the deal will come this year or the following year, and the bonds would first need to acquire international ratings.

“This is potentially good for Laos because of the wider pool of investors, meaning there will be more liquidity for Lao government bonds,” continued Victor Rattanavong.

While Laos does not currently have ratings with any of the three aforementioned international rating agencies yet, Thai rating agency TRIS Ratings changed the country’s BBB+ grade by one level to BBB with a stable outlook on rising concerns over falling foreign exchange reserves and a growing debt servicing burden.

“However, this does not necessarily mean that Laos will be getting the best financing rates. It depends on how the rating agencies rate the sovereign, and the market feedback, etc. Going international just means, yes, there are more potential investors, but at the same time the market will be the judge of what the government pays and there will be more eyeballs watching,” added Rattanavong.

“Take, for example, the country of Ghana: rich in natural resources with similar level of development but its GDP is about two to three times that of Laos yet it is still paying around 8% in an international bond issue in London a few years ago.”

“Laos issued in Thailand and is paying about 4-5%, so the Thai market has always been attractive because it is close and the risks are well understood. This would explain why the Lao cost of financing is cheaper than a potential new international bond issue. But, if the Lao government opens the books more and courts a wider pool of investors, different perceptions come to play and they’ll have many opinions.”

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) wrote earlier in August that Laos needed to follow through on planned public financial management reforms to strengthen its debt sustainability.

GDP growth slowed to 6.3% in 2018 from 6.8% the previous year, due partly to natural disasters that impacted agricultural and industrial production, but the IMF is hopeful in its economic growth forecasts that predict the rate to rise to close to 7% in the medium term.

Laos first announced its intention to register government bonds on the Lao stock market in July last year.

Lao Telecom Launches Country’s First electronic SIM card Service

Lao Telecom Launches Country’s First electronic SIM card Service

Lao Telecom has launched the country’s first eSIM activation service by teaming up with 10T Tech, an eSIM Solutions Company based in Hong Kong.

The new service allows Lao smartphone owners with the latest Apple iPhones and iPads and Google Pixel 3a and 4 devices to sign up for Lao Telecom’s pre and post-paid mobile plans by visiting their local service center to download and activate the eSIM profile, according to a statement by 10T Tech.

The term “eSIM” refers to an embedded SIM card. There are no physical SIM cards involved and no physical swapping over required. It is a small chip inside a phone and works in a similar way to the NFC chip that’s used for payment technologies such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

eSIM needs to be supported by the network or carrier and enabled by them, while not all networks support eSIM as yet.

Apple has turned to eSIM for the iPad Pro, Apple Watch Series 3 and Watch Series 4 and Series 5 as well as dual SIM support for the iPhone XS and XS Max and iPhone XR as well as the new iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max.

Google’s Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL and new Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL do as well.

Lao Telecom’s move came after the company announced in October that it began trialing its 5G system, becoming the first player in Laos to do so.

Lao Telecom is the first integrated telecommunications provider in Laos. Since 1996, the company has offered wire-line and wireless services to 3.5 million people across the country.

In 2011, the company officially launched 4G network, becoming the first company to provide the system in the country and the second nation to do so in Southeast Asia.

The company also began operating 4.5G services in Vientiane at the beginning of 2017 and then expanded services to the provinces.

Hongsa District Sees Heavy Damage from Earthquake

Hongsa District Sees Heavy Damage from Earthquake

Reports from Hongsa, Xayaboury Province suggest that yesterday’s earthquake has caused considerable damage to property in the district.
Hongsa District has seen severe damage in some localities following the 5.7 magnitude earthquake which struck near Xayaboury Province at 4am yesterday morning.

A temple damaged by the earthquake
A temple damaged by the earthquake

The earthquake has damaged various structures, including residential properties. Many villagers spent the night under makeshift tents, afraid to re-enter their homes.

Image may contain: night, outdoor and nature
Villagers spend the night in makeshift tents

Ms. Bounphak Inthapanya, Deputy Governor of Xayaboury Province, stated in an interview with the Vientiane Times that the earthquake caused damage to property, and large aftershocks were felt in every district of the province.

According to Head of Hongsa District Office, Mr Lae Onsomboun, thirteen homes and four temples suffered damage in several villages across the district.

Fortunately only two residents minor sustained injuries as a result of the quake, however, structural damages has yet to be fully assessed.

Hongsa Power Company reported that their power plant located in Hongsa District was mostly unaffected, however systems have been taken offline temporarily as a safety precaution.

The company has been undertaking an assessment of its peripheral operations, and thus far has not encountered any major damage, hoping to resume operations within 24 hours.

Tremors from yesterday’s earthquake were reportedly felt as far as Vientiane and Bangkok.

Japan’s Kumamoto Bets on Laos for Tourism Boost

Japan’s Kumamoto Bets on Laos for Tourism Boost

The Japanese city of Kumamoto has said it will increase its promotional efforts for new routes that connect the city and Laos amid a drop in the number of passengers who use the city’s airport.

Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau gave the green light in October for Lao Airlines to launch two new routes connecting the Lao capital of Vientiane and the resort town of Luang Prabang with Kumamoto. New routes will be launched on March 18, 2020.

During an interview with local press, an unnamed city official stressed the importance of the new routes to Laos, adding that the city would try its best to attract more visitors to and from Laos.

A total of 7,161 people used the city airport in September, a 41.7 percent drop from the same month last year.

The official cited the stalled relationship between Japan and South Korea and the ongoing protest in Hong Kong as the main reasons that might have contributed to the decrease.

The number of passengers who used routes to South Korean decreased by 24.2 percent from June to September, while that for Hong Kong dropped 19.8 percent during the same period, according to the city.

Kualao Unveils New Function Halls In Honor of 25th Anniversary

Kualao Unveils New Function Halls In Honor of 25th Anniversary

Kualao Restaurant, recognized as one of the country’s most popular authentic Lao food restaurants, celebrates its 25th anniversary in business by launching two fully renovated function rooms on the 2nd floor of the restaurant side compound, with a new and modern look.

“It has been a decade since we’ve last made major renovations to the function halls. We felt it was time that Kualao’s physical infrastructure be commensurate with the quality of its food,” says Dalaphone Pholsena, the second-generation owner of the beloved restaurant.

The Kinnaly Room, which is the larger of the two rooms, can accommodate up to 300 persons. It has often been used for small-sized weddings, cocktail receptions, gala dinners, and luncheons.

Kualao’s hostesses pose at the center of the large function room, Kinnari Hall (front stage area in background)
Kualao’s hostesses pose at the center of the large function room (back area in background)

The smaller function room is frequently utilized by organizers to host signing ceremonies, small conferences, lectures, and training workshops.

Both rooms received a full makeover, featuring new ceilings, flooring, curtains and lighting and other electrical works. Each function room is now equipped with a brand new sound system, LCD screens, a projector, and hi-speed wifi internet routers.

Small function room (bar area in background)








Small function room (bar area in background)

 

“I love the new look and feel of the place. We celebrated the one year anniversary of our inflight magazine, Champa Meuanglao, in the Kinnaly room. You get to enjoy the local authentic cuisine in a modern setting and we really appreciated how Kualao specially designed an exquisite finger food menu just for our occasion,” says Cameron Darke, Senior Partner of RDK Group.

Finger Food Menu Display at Champa Meuanglao Magazine One-Year Anniversary
Kao Poon Jeow Keeng (Lao white noodles in ginger sauce)
Jeo Mak Len (Lao tomato dip)
Mini spring rolls, purple sticky rice, crispy rice and pork katong thong in banana leaf boat
Nam Khao Wrapped In Leaf
Fresh seasonal fruits served in pineapple shells
Purple dragon fruits
Mango & sticky rice crepes

Mrs. Pholsena believes that the newly refurbished dining halls are ready to serve guests from around the world as the country prepares new avenues to welcome more tourists and play host to international meetings and conferences.

“As Laos is moving fast and is constantly evolving, we need to keep up with the times and meet our guests’ new expectations in terms of product delivery and facilities.”

“That’s why we had completely revamped our two function rooms to offer our guests new environments, all the while cherishing what has made Kualao so successful all these years, our high-quality Lao food and our family-friendly approach to serving all our guests,” says Pholsena.

Speaker gives presentation at Cultural Studies Series lecture. The CSS hosts monthly lectures at Kualao’s small function room.
Guests listen attentively at a Cultural Studies Series lecture.
LuxDev organises online reputation management seminar for Lao businesses as part of their Skills for Tourism Project
Laos-based private company hosts traditional Baci Soukwan ceremony to welcome foreign business partners
Government entities host dinner parties and typically invite guests to “lamvong” (Lao traditional dance) to the music
Guests mingling at the one-year anniversary of Lao Airlines official inflight magazine, Champa Meuanglao

2019 saw Kualao reach its 25th birthday. The restaurant has served thousands of authentic Lao dishes to locals and tourists and welcomed dozens of foreign dignitaries and celebrities. It has helped to organize countless authentic Baci Soukwan ceremonies, where guests are welcomed or bid farewell to in traditional Lao fashion.

Kualao now offers a complete package for all Lao authentic food lovers, from dining in the French colonial restaurant atmosphere to organizing events in any of its two redesigned halls.

About Kualao

Established in 1994, Kualao is Vientiane’s most popular, upscale authentic Lao food restaurant, where both local and visiting diners bask in an ambience that flawlessly reincarnates the romantic and sophisticated atmosphere of early colonial French Indochina. Kualao is discreetly, and conveniently, nestled on the corner of the city’s landmark That Dam Intersection, which is known for the famous ‘Black Shrine’ stupa that sits at the center of the nearby roundabout. For more details, please visit the official website.

For general inquiries, please send an email to contact@kualaorestaurant.com. For reservations, please send an email to reservation@kualaorestaurant.com.

Tel: +85621214813

Fax: +85621215777

Mob. :+8562055999456 (available on WhatsApp)