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Laos to Build First Vehicle Inspection Center

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Laotian Times
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Laos Vehicle Inspection Center

Laos aims to establish the nation’s first vehicle inspection center, focusing on the safety of road transport in the country.

The new inspection center will be established on a 5-hectare plot of land and has been scheduled to begin construction in 2018.  The center is estimated to cost more than $10 million USD to erect, with investment by UMG Lao. Testing facilities, offices, storage, and a training center for drivers have also been incorporated in the upcoming plans for the hub.

It has been confirmed by Chalongchai Chayutrapong, UMG Lao’s firm director and chief executive officer, that an agreement amongst UMG Lao and the Department of Standardisation and Metrology under the Ministry of Sciences and Technology has been signed for cooperation and construction of the center.

He stated, “We have discussed the need for this center with authorities since last year, as other ASEAN countries have high vehicle standards but Laos still lacks a vehicle inspection center for guaranteeing the quality of vehicles.”

It has been expressed by the chief executive officer, that the objective for the new center is for it to serve as a hub of resource and development, to facilitate inspection services and field standard research, and play a significant role in ensuring vehicle quality is standardized in the country.

The Ministry of Sciences and Technology and UMG Lao have been working together so construction of the facility can begin sometime next year, explains Viengthong Vongthavilay, the acting director-general of the Department of Standardisation and Metrology.

The ministry has been striving to develop its human resources in the field of standards so they can establish more vehicle-quality inspections and present standard certificates to businesses nationwide that meet the required benchmark.

Photo: SGCarmart

Everything You Need to Know about the Laos-China Railway

By
Laotian Times
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laos-china railway

The Laotian Times provides a concise, easy-to-read summary of the Laos-China Railway:

Total length: 414.332 kilometers (over 62 percent consists of bridges and tunnels: 258.5 km – due to mountainous terrain)

Number of total stations: 32 stations along the route

Train Track Specs: single 1.435-metre standard-gauge track electrified mixed-traffic line is to be built to China’s GB Grade 1 standards, suitable for 160-200 km/h passenger and 120 km/h freight trains

Construction Began in: in Luang Prabang on December 25, 2016

Project completion: scheduled for five years (by end of 2021)

Cost of Railway: approximately $5.8 billion; 70 percent of which comes from Chinese investment and 30 percent from the Lao side

ICT Cost of Railway: over $3.67 million; Laos-China Railway Company, Lao Telecom, Lao Asia-Pacific and Huawei are to provide internet and mobile phone services from the Mohan-Boten border gate in northern Laos to Vientiane Capital

Lao Government Guidelines: contractors have been asked to employ Lao technicians and companies and use materials available locally in construction; construction must be of a high standard and completed as scheduled; safety must be guaranteed, must comply with Lao laws, respect local customs and culture and not to impact adversely on villagers; environmental protection is a top priority as well

Benefits for Laos: reduce transport costs, increase people-to-people visits, enhance trade and promote cultural exchanges

Expected Number of Passengers: domestic rail passengers should initially reach 3.98 million per year, according to a study by Lao authorities, and could reach up to 8.62 million passengers per year in the future

Regional Significance: part of the Kunming-Singapore regional railway (covering a total distance of approx. 3,000km) and China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative; will turn Laos from a landlocked country into one that is land-linked

Current State of Railroads in Laos: the only railway in Laos, at present, is a short metre-gauge branch of the Thai network which crosses the River Mekong from Nong Khai to reach a railhead at Thanaleng

Laos-China Railway

Lao Government Authorizes Draft Laws for Parliamentary Debate

By
Laotian Times
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Laos Draft Laws

Seven new and amended draft laws were approved by the government cabinet on Thursday,

which will be submitted for debate to the upcoming ordinary session of the National Assembly (NA) scheduled for April.

Cabinet members and invited guests attended the day-and-a-half meeting and entrusted the pertinent ministries to revise the drafts accordingly with recommendations made by cabinet members.

The cabinet’s extraordinary meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, closed February with endorsed draft laws on international conventions and agreements, the civil code, criminal code, and the Lao Red Cross.

An amended law on public security, along with draft laws on radio frequencies and performing arts were also passed.

With cabinet members’ opinions conflicting over the drafted law on Lao Red Cross, the meeting informed the organisation to improve the draft and to return it to the next government monthly meeting before submitting it to the NA.

The extraordinary meeting took place with the government striving to pursue its focus on developing Laos as a state ruled by law, as adopted in the resolution of the 10th Party Congress, as well attempting the five-year (2016-2020) objective of the NA passing 105 new and amended laws in total.

Several lawmakers have expressed their concerns that the objective is overly ambitious due to the government and parliament’s excessively busy schedule.

Though a considerable amount of laws have been passed and declared in previous years, members of parliament have mentioned on multiple occasions during NA ordinary session debates that a multitude of laws coming into effect have been poorly enforced. This has resulted in  undermining the efforts in developing Laos as a society governed by the rule of law.

Currently more than 100 laws, along with additional regulations accompanying the laws, have been promulgated.

With the draft laws previously debated at the extraordinary meeting, the cabinet will have the opportunity to address more pressing topics during the government’s monthly ordinary meeting agenda for February expected to commence in a week’s time.

In preparation for next week’s meeting, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith informed the cabinet to prepare the upcoming agenda accordingly, while also prioritizing the agenda for the nearing fourth plenary session of the Party Central Committee (10th tenure) scheduled to take place next month.

First Solar Project for Laos to Launch in March

By
Laotian Times
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Laos Solar Farm

The first of several solar power projects in Laos has been set up in Vientiane Capital.

The solar farm project will begin generating 10 Megawatts (MW) of solar power for Vientiane consumers in the upcoming month, says Mr Somphet Arounsavath, project coordinator of EDL-GEN Solar Power.

The initial project will produce at 10 MW before generating 32-50 MW between 2017 to 2018 and up to 100 MW by 2020, Mr Somphet explained.

One source reports that the budgeted total of the project is estimated to be over $3.4 million USD and the life expectancy of these solar panels, produced by TALESUN, is around 25 years.

The first pilot project has been constructed in Chaengsavang Village, Naxaithong District and is expected to replicate three other solar power projects in Vientiane.

Approved by the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the project anticipates collaboration between EDL-Generation Public Company, who holds approximately 60 percent of shares and partner Pure Power Development Company Limited, who holds approximately 40 percent.

The project intends to aid efforts to secure sustainable power supply for consumption in the capital.

In a recent report, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce indicated that the consumption of renewable energy at manufacturing factories and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) should be increased to reach approximately 30 percent of total energy usage nationwide by 2025.

Last year, the United States approved a sizable grant for a 20-megawatt solar power plant feasibility study in the Lao PDR, to power 30,000 households.

The project supports both Lao PDR’s energy sector strategy and clean energy development in Southeast Asia.

Laos and Lao Toyota Teams in Disarray Due to Match Manipulation

By
Laotian Times
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Lao Toyota Match-fixing

Due to the ongoing investigation by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), not many details have been divulged to the public in reference to the permanent ban of 22 Lao and Cambodian football players in connection to match-fixing.

The AFC has confirmed that the action follows an investigation that started in 2014, and that it will continue to pursue the banning of the affiliated parties worldwide. This is one of Asian football’s biggest mass punishments for match-fixing.

An official statement has said, “The (AFC) Disciplinary Committee has issued a life ban from football-related activities to twenty-two individuals from Laos and Cambodia for involvement in the manipulation of matches involving the representative teams of Laos and the club side Lao Toyota FC”.

Fifteen of those banned are current or former players of the Laos national side or Vientiane-based Lao Toyota FC.

In November, the AFC temporarily suspended four Laos soccer internationals over their connection in the scandal .

The four, Saynakhonevieng Phommapanya, Chintana Souksavath, Moukda Souksavath and Phatthana Syvilay, are among the 22 who have now been banned for life.

Multiple Lao Drug Barons Arrested, Millions of Dollars in Assets Seized

By
Laotian Times
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multiple drug arrests made in Laos

A number of drug ring leaders have been detained after police officials ordered a massive clampdown on the illicit drug trade across the country.  It has been reported by a senior police officer that a total of 33 suspects have been apprehended in connection to the drug related crimes.

A press conference held by Director General of the General Police Department, Brigadier General Dr.Thonglek Mangnormek revealed that an astounding 30 million baht was used to bribe police officers for releasing each drug lord.

Following the notorious arrest of Lao national kingpin Xaysana Keophimha at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok on January 19th, officers captured yet another key member of the trade, Khonpasong Soukkaseum, also known as Xiengther, and three of his associates in early February. Khonpasong is said to be an even bigger player in the drug trafficking world than Xaysana. Both leaders are identified to be affiliated with different groups.

Brig. General Thonglek informed the media, that Xaysana, also known as Hialob, had evaded the Lao police by fleeing to Thailand. Lao officers swiftly alerted Thai law enforcement who managed to take him into police custody at Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Due to ongoing police investigations involving the drug ring, Brig. General Thonglek stated,  Lao police could not provide any answers immediately after Xaysana’s arrest in fear of it negatively impacting the  case.

He then confirmed that Lao officers have taken action in efforts to crack down on Xaysana and his affiliates. He stated, “Our police officers have arrested a team of Xaysana’s in Vientiane and Khammuan province, Xaysana’s home province, on January 20, 2017. Five people were detained including a female.”

When questioned if Laos will request Thailand to extradite the drug lord to be indicted in Laos, the Brigadier General replied that the relevant laws of the two countries must be examined first, and as of now, is not a pressing matter.

Though an uphill battle, Lao Officers have been making strides when it comes to fighting drugs.

Three more major drug lords and their dealers from different rings have been incarcerated.

Last September, drug lord Kinoy Phaxay also known as Noy Akard, and 16 of his associates including two foreigners were detained.

In December a middle-aged couple, Vath Philaban and Mrs Keo Philaban, were arrested in northern Bokeo province.

While just last month, police officers captured Khonthai Khotsombath and two affiliates in Savannakhet province.

A multitude of assets and evidence linked to the drug trade have been confiscated including residences, luxury cars, jet-skis, a hotel, a market, a restaurant, various manufacturing plants, warehouses, garages, a gas station, assorted drugs, military guns and many other unnamed possessions.

Brig. General Thonglek has said that the the suspects in question have plead guilty to trading, transporting and possessing the drugs that have been impounded for evidence.

The investigation is said to be still going strong and officers are pursuing the remaining members of all five groups. He added that police officers are now finalising cases to hand to prosecutors to try the suspects in court.

The Brigadier General has expressed gratitude in all sectors, including members of the public who have aided in the crackdown.

 

KB Kolao Leasing Enters Lao Local Leasing Market

By
Laotian Times
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KO Kolao Leasing Enters Lao Local Leasing Market
KO Kolao Leasing Enters Lao Local Leasing Market

Feb 13, Vientiane Capital – As a part of its regional expansion strategy, the KB Financial Group, a South Korean financial holding company, has brought its tremendous international resources and know-how to invest in the Lao leasing market. After a year of preparation, its local incarnation KB Kolao Leasing has finally obtained official approval from local authorities to operate in Laos. KB Kolao Leasing is a business venture between the following entities: KB Financial Group (KB Capital and KB Kookmin Card, the largest credit card company in South Korea) and Laos-based Kolao Group.

KB Capital holds a 51 percent equity (3,060,000 shares) in the new enterprise, with KB Kookmin Card taking 29 percent and Kolao Group holding 20 percent.

KB Kolao Leasing celebrated the launch of its operations in Laos with a fantastic grand opening at the newly opened Landmark Riverside Hotel. Honored by the presences of Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank Sonexay Sitphaxay, South Korean Ambassador to Laos Yun Kang Hyeon, Chairman of Kolao Group Oh Sei Young, KB Financial Group Chairman Yoon Jong Kyoo, other distinguished guests and members of the press.

The Kolao Group is a Laos-based corporation that has interests in a diverse range of businesses including construction, banking, leisure, logistics, media, furniture, agriculture, car manufacturing and assembly, and second hand vehicles distribution. With its ever popular Hyundai, Kia and Daehan cars in high public demand, Kolao owns 50% of the Lao domestic car market.

KB Kolao Leasing shall offer financial services for clients via the Indochina Bank network and will be expanding in Laos through collaboration among partners of the KB Financial Group while taking advantage of the solid networks of the Kolao Group.

KB Financial Group Chairman Yoon Jong Kyoo stated in his opening speech that “KB Kolao Leasing is a cooperation between the KB Financial Group and Kolao Group, with the latter holding the title of the company with the highest number of car sales in Laos. I hope that at the outset, KB Kolao Leasing will capitalize on its vast network and resources readily provided by its two parent companies and add value to the growing economy of Laos. I wish the new company much success.”

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to Celebrate the Launch of KB Kolao Leasing
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to Celebrate the Launch of KB Kolao Leasing

KB Kolao Leasing has immediate plans to offer financing for new vehicles sold by the Kolao Group. Once its operations gain steam, the former plans to move into the second-hand vehicles financing market.

There are currently 166 financial institutions licensed by the central bank of Laos, of which 29 are leasing companies.

Event managed by Sengdara Communications

Officials Investigate Spontaneous Fish Deaths in Houayxai

By
Laotian Times
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Fish Deaths

On February 12th, residents of the Poungnanoun Village, Houayxai District in Bokeo Province, spotted a number of lifeless fish floating down the Ngao River.

Authorities from the District Agriculture and Forestry Office who have collaborated with local officials, are examining the dead freshwater creatures and speculate that the deaths are attributed to a chemical substance that has yet to be determined.

Vientiane authorities have collected water samples along with a few of the fish carcasses to run a full analysis and the results are scheduled to be revealed this week.

According to officials of the District Agriculture and Forestry Office and the District Health Office, the fish were poisoned by an  unidentified chemical substance and the source has still not been discovered.

Villagers and nearby villages along the Ngao River have been warned by officials not to consume any of the fish or other animals fetched from the river until further notice.

Mr. Souvat stated that initially some of the villagers had unknowingly collected the dead fish to take home and feed their families, but fortunately no one has been observed to have been negatively affected.

However, to be cautious, villagers should destroy all dead river life they have obtained.

As of now, everyone is eagerly waiting the results of the analysis from Vientiane capital, says an official. He continues that the Ngao protected river zone is 7 kilometres long, and flows through three villages including Poungnanoun before merging with the Mekong River.

It is said that a local company with a banana farm inhabits a portion of the riverbank that is suspected to be the culprit based on a previous encounter with similar results.

A  comparable incident happened on the Toy River along Thibounthong village in the past year, and is the second time that Houayxai district has had this occurrence.

It was disclosed that heavy rainfall had washed a chemical substance from a local banana farm into the Toy River.

It has been noted, however, that the number of dead fish during the Toy River incident is significantly lower than that of this current incident.

Photos: Vientiane Times, Tholakhong

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