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71 Households Receive Compensation from Irrigation Project

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Some 71 affected households from Sanghuabor village, Xaythany district have received compensation for construction of a Vientiane irrigation development project.

A compensation handover ceremony took place yesterday in the village and was attended by President of Vientiane People’s Council and Chairman of Grievance Redress Committee for the Flood and Drought Risk Management and Mitigation Project Dr Anouphap Tounalom.

The project received loans and grants from Asian Development Bank (ADB) totalling US$37.09 million for the Vientiane Flood Protection Embankment and the Irrigation Development in Vientiane Capital subproject.

The subproject intends to construct four pump irrigation schemes along the Makhiew River at Dongkhuay, Nalong, Sanghuabor and Makhiew villages in the three districts of Hadxaifong, Xaythany and Pakngum, Director of the southern part of the Vientiane Irrigation Development Project Mr Saykham Phengkhammy said.

ADB considered obstacle removal as priority work in implementing the project which had to finish redressing grievances before beginning the construction.

To ensure the project is implemented in a timely manner as planned, today we organised a ceremony to hand over compensation to people affected by Sanghuabor irrigation project, he said

Total compensation included 101,303 square metres of agricultural land, a well, along with trees at a cost of more than 600 million kip, Mr Saykham added.

The irrigation scheme is located in Sanghuabor village, Xaythany district, and will provide irrigation by pumping water from the Makhiew River.

The pumping station will be installed at the boundary of a farm pond near the village with 22.7 hectares of existing paddy fields being irrigated through the pond with surface water.

The water from the farm pond can be diverted to the lowland area from the Makhiew River when the water level is high.

The depth of the farm pond is very shallow to impound and reserve water.

The main channel for Sanghuabor irrigation scheme is a line-canal about 2,950 metres in length along with secondary and tertiary canals of 6,650 and 1,300 metres respectively.

The project began in August and is scheduled to finish in 2019 having a total irrigable area of about 300 hectares.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Patient Numbers at Public Hospitals Continue to Tumble

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The number of patients checking in to receive advice and treatment at government hospitals continues to decline because healthcare services were lacking in quality.

Minister of Health, Associate Prof. Dr Bounkong Syhavong made the admission at a signing ceremony for construction of a patient’s service building at Mittaphab Hospital in the capital earlier this week.

He said the nation needs to improve healthcare services to give patients confidence in the system.

Unfortunately in Laos, doctors, nurses, and other medical staff still harbored old-fashioned work practices as they did many years ago. This meant they didn’t take care of patients as their customers when seeking treatment at hospital, Dr Bounkong said.

In developed countries, doctors and nurses take care of patients very well.

They consult with patients immediately when they come to hospital, he said.

Many Lao patients continue to go to hospital in neighboring countries to receive advice and health services because they think they’re getting better treatment than at home.

At the same time private clinics are making improvements to local healthcare in various areas but government hospitals still are not responding to public demand.

There needs to be increased understanding by doctors, nurses, and other medical staff on the importance of healthcare service to their patients to increase the number of patients attending local hospitals in the future, he added.

However, efforts are already underway to improve the service offered by doctors and nurses, in addition to the training of quality health officials. The government’s healthcare policy is now focused on patient satisfaction.

Dr Bounkong noted there was also still room for improvement with the services of Lao private hospitals and clinics.

The public hospital improvements are aimed at reducing complaints and to ensure that all ethnicities in society receive good quality treatment on an equal basis

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Trucks Being Charged more at Napao-Chalo Border

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Some goods trucks are avoiding using the Napao-Chalo international border between Laos and Vietnam in Khammuan province as the trucks are being levied higher charges at this border.

Previously, the trucks crossing the border only paid a relatively modest fee but now they are charged anywhere from 300,000 to 500,000 kip depending on the size of the trucks.

An official from Khammuan province, who asked not to be named, told Vientiane Times on Wednesday that the trucks have been charged for about two years and this money will be used to maintain the border and the roads.

The Lao trucks crossing the border will not be charged on the Laos side but are charged when they cross into Vietnam, while the Vietnamese trucks will be charged on the Lao border side.

Another official in Khammuan also mentioned t hat right now some trucks from Khammuan are not using the Napao-Chalo international border to link with Vietnam .

He explained that some of them are using the Dansavan-Lao Bao international border in Savannakhet province or the Nampao-Cau Treo international border in Borikhamxay province instead.

However, an anonymous Savannakhet provincial customs officer said that the Dansavan-Lao Bao international border has had an operational one door, one stop service since early 2015.

The Dansavan-Lao Bao border is not charging trucks like the Laos-Vietnam border in Khammuan province, but many trucks still use the Napao-Chalo international border because this way is closer to Vietnam as well as in China, he said.

On the other hand Savannakhet wants more trucks from Khammuan or trucks from Thailand to use its border.

According to the Savannakhet provincial Public Works and Transport Department, the service is intended to reduce transport times for trucks and people moving goods across the border.

The single window service means that vehicles entering Laos from Vietnam are not checked at the Vietnamese border but only at the Lao border. Meanwhile vehicles from Laos entering Vietnam have to present their documen ts on the Vietnamese side only.

Based on a Vietnam News report yesterday, Vietnam and other regional countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Thailand have made agreements to facilitate road transport but border linkages have not been fully implemented due to differences in legislation.

It now takes only 15 minutes for trucks to complete customs declarations at the Lao Bao-Dansavan border crossing between Vietnam and Laos.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Govt Extends Condolences Over Terrorism in Germany, Turkey

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Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on Tuesday sent a message to the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany to extend the government’s condolences over the tragic event that occurred in Berlin, Germany on Monday.

We have learned with deep sorrow about the tragedy that occurred at the Christmas market in the heart of Berlin, Germany on December 19, which killed many victims and injured others. We strongly condemn such acts of terror perpetrated against Germany, Mr Thongloun said in the massage.

Prime Minister Thongloun, representing the Lao government and people, and on his own behalf, expressed his deep condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Germany as well as the bereaved families affected by the barbaric act.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Saleumxay Kommasith yesterday also sent a message to his Russian counterpart to extend condolences over the assassination of the Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Mr Andrei Karlov.

I have learned with the deepest sadness of the barbaric assassination of His Excellency Ambassador Andrei Karlov on December 19, 2016, while attending the opening of a photo exhibition in Ankara, Mr Saleumxay said in the message.

In the message, he noted the government’s strong condemnation of such terrorist acts against Russian diplomats, which he said was no doubt, aimed at undermining the good Russian-Turkish relations.

On behalf of the Lao government and people, and on my own behalf, I would like to convey our profound condolences and sympathy through Your Excellency to the Russian government and people as well as the bereaved family, the minister added in the message.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Lao Government to Forgo Luxury Vehicles

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Laotian Times
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Luxury Vehicles in Laos
Luxury Vehicles Laos

The Party and Government have agreed to forgo luxury vehicles in a new bid to curb excessive spending and promote frugality. Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith made the announcement during a two-day meeting on the socio-economic development plan and the budget for 2017.

The Prime Minister raised the issue of frivolous luxury vehicles when addressing central and local departments, singling out leaders driving Mercedez-Benz and BMW brand vehicles. He said that these vehicles would be reclaimed, and sold through a bidding process.

His reasons for the tough stance included the high cost of fuel and maintenance for such vehicles, which are not economical, saying that the value of one Mercedez-Benz was equal to three Toyota vehicles. He then added that he would start with the President’s car, and would of course be pleased to hand his own luxury vehicle back to the state as well.

Top ranking officials and retired leaders make up eleven BMW 7 Series cars, and five Mercedez-Benz (S350 and E350) vehicles. The remainder of the government fleet includes 30 Mercedez-Benz, which were initially purchased for state affairs.

Many leaders currently hold more than one vehicle, and a reduction of surplus vehicles will be considered as well.

New Decree to Govern Use Of Luxury Vehicles

Prime Ministerial Decree No. 81 on the use of state vehicles is now being amended and brought in line with the new push to curb spending, and will likely prohibit the use of luxury vehicles altogether.

Under the amended decree, Politburo members will be entitled to drive a Toyota Camry 3.0, ministers a Camry 2.5, and deputy ministers will be entitled to a Camry 2.0, while other vehicles such as SUVs and pick-up trucks may be provided to leaders as appropriate.

The new decree is expected to clarify regulations on vehicle allocation for civil servants and leading officials, and will outline which vehicles are to be reclaimed upon retirement.

Switzerland Gives Further Boost to Poverty Reduction Fund

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Switzerland has agreed to contribute US$18 million to help Laos reduce poverty and achieve the targets set in the National Socio-Economic Plan.

A grant agreement for the funding was signed recently by the Director of Cooperation for the Mekong Region of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Mr Tim Enderlin, and Deputy Minister of Finance, Ms Thipphakone Chanthavongsa.

The grant assistance was provided through the Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF) Phase 3 (2017-2020) and will be used to improve access to basic services for the country’s poorest communities, according to the SDC.

It is envisaged that the overall goal of the Poverty Reduction Fund will be achieved through inclusive community level and local development processes with an emphasis on ensuring sustainability.

The main objectives of the Fund are to improve the delivery of public services at the village level in remote upland areas, including providing access to health and education facilities, along with safe and reliable water for consumption and irrigation.

Other objectives are to strengthen citizen engagement in local development and encourage the adoption of responsive and accountable participatory planning, financing and implementation approaches for service delivery.

The project is designed to increase participation within communities, in particular among women and people belonging to certain ethnic groups, in local development processes. It operates in 1,820 villages in 43 districts of Huaphan, Xieng Khuang, Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Phongsaly, Savannakhet, Xekong, Attapeu and Saravan provinces where the incidence of poverty is high.

Each village selected for PRF assistance will receive a financial contribution of between US$35,000-50,000 a year to support their community development priorities.

The Fund will also continue to develop the capacity of local authorities to plan, implement and monitor local development processes in partnership with the local population.

Since 2002, the PRF, with the support of the World Bank, has established itself as the Lao government’s main vehicle to reduce rural poverty and provide public infrastructure in rural areas through participatory processes.

The PRF is currently the largest community-driven development project in Laos with a total amount of about US$80 million, co-financed by the World Bank, Australia (DFAT), Switzerland (SDC), and the government of Laos.

Since 2008, Switzerland has contributed a total of about US$25 million to the budget of the Poverty Reduction Fund.

This contribution has allowed the Fund to expand its activities to new districts, to enhance its work to help the poorest people, and to promote the value of strong community participation in local development processes at the community and local and national levels.

By renewing Switzerland’s support, the PRF can expect to obtain meaningful development results on a large scale, to contribute to the scaling up of the Fund’s approaches into local government operations and ultimately support Laos’ effort to graduate from Least Developed Country status.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

Laos, China Cooperate on Media Development

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The Lao and Chinese governments have agreed to further cooperate on media development to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China Radio International, broadcast in Laos on FM 93Mhz.

The two countries have agreed to partner in various projects including the Lao National Digital Radio and Television Network Project based on Digital Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcasting (DTMB).

The project is scheduled to gain pace from 2017-2019 based on the success of a trial that revealed good coverage and operation of a DTMB-based digital television network in Vientiane and the provinces of Savannakhet, Champassak and Luang Prabang.

The digitisation of radio and television will enable most people in Laos to listen to digital radio programmes and watch digitally transmitted television programmes. The project will speed up the development of the national DTMB wireless digital network and information provision, improve the management and operation of the network, increase audience ratings and enhance the quality of digital television programmes.

Representatives of Laos and China yesterday signed an agreement on several Laos-China media projects, during an event in Vientiane to mark the 10th anniversary of China Radio International.

A member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China and Head of the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee, Mr Liu Qibao; Laos’ Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara; and Head of the Propaganda and Training Board of the Party Central Committee, Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaikhamphithoun attended the ceremony.

The Lao National Digital Radio and Television Network Project agreement was inked by Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Mr Savankhone Razmountry and Deputy Director of the Yunnan Radio and Television Station Mr Yulei.

Under the agreement, Yunnan digital media is entrusted by Laos’ Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to build a national broadcast system with television coverage in all 18 provinces. This will enable state-run television stations to enhance the capacity of independent programme production.

China Radio International began broadcasting in Laos in 2006 and has since introduced a radio channel and various forms of print and online media.

 

Source: Vientiane Times

BCEL-KT: Trade Summary (Dec 21, 2016)

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Trade summary

Lao stock index went down 2.38% or 24.54 points to 1,050.20 points on Wednesday, after closing unchanged for 2-day. As EDL-Gen decreased by 150 kip to finish at 4,950 kip, with trading volume of total 11,900 shares matched, while others were not matched. Market trading turnover worth around 59 million kip.

 

Market closing day

We would like to notify its market closing days on the occasion of ending the year 2016 and the beginning of the year 2017 as follow:

– 28 – 30 December 2016: Last 3 Business Days
– 02 January 2017: Compensate for New Year’s Day

LSX will resume to normal operation on 03-Jan-2017

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