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PEACE INDEPENDENCE DEMOCRACY UNITY PROSPERITY2222 S. Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. 20008 Tel: (202) 332-6416 Fax: (202) 332-4923 |
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PEACE INDEPENDENCE DEMOCRACY UNITY PROSPERITY2222 S. Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. 20008 Tel: (202) 332-6416 Fax: (202) 332-4923 |
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CONTENTS
GOVERNMENT MONTHLY SESSION Significant progress was made at the monthly government meeting under the chairmanship of Prima Minister Boungnang Vorachit. The August meeting agreed to create a new environment to facilitate international trade. It focussed on improving justice tasks and ministers also agreed to increase the budget to support the education sector. The meeting facilitated discussions on improving the strategic development plans from now until 2005, 2010, and 2020 in education, trade and judicial sectors. These draft plans will be presented to the National Assembly for approval at its upcoming 8th Session later this year. In addition the meeting reviewed the implementation of budget plans for 2000-2001 and discussed the main issues defining the socioeconomic development plan for 2001-2002, which will also be presented to the National Assembly. The government meeting also heard a detailed report on trade plans from Trade Minister, Mr. Phoumy Thipavon, who informed the meeting of his ministry's efforts to balance import and export flows from now, to time year 2020. “To achieve our plans to open up our production process, and make domestic goods trade relative to the buying power of the people, we should focus on production. We have great potential in terms of raw materials and must focus on producing goods, which we lack including cement, steel, tiles, wood products and other construction equipment. We must also focus on home wares, food stuffs, clothing, medicines, plastic products, small mechanical goods and agricultural products,” said the Trade Minister, The Trade Minister also talked about measures to expand trade such as promoting the quantity and quality of the available goods for competition purposes, encouraging foreign investment through trade and opening local markets in order to find international partners and attend international economic groups. Mr. Phoumy also talked about the trade borders, which promote the importation of small goods and consumer goods for people who live in remote areas. In addition he also emphasized the importance of human resource development in the trade sector. "We have to focus on generating qualified staff in the trade sector with the ability to trade competently with international businesses and markets," he reported. The Minister also pointed out that, the trade sector has not responded to, the market information on the business sectors. Lao traders are only selling foreign products, and not trying to produce goods for export for the future. The meeting also considered a draft law on state property, presented by the Finance Minister. The law is aimed at defining basic principles on management and maintenance as well as making use of state property in an efficient manner. The meeting also studied a draft decree, aimed at making the districts planning and finance units, and the villages as the implementing units. The draft was presented by the Chairman of the State Planning Committee and is intended to upgrade the judicial significance of the guidelines of the Prime Minister's Office in this regard. The meeting was of the view that socio-economic development would be stepped up further and investment from domestic as well as foreign sources would be strongly mobilized. It also indicated that the national budget would be increased. The government's meeting also discussed approaches to deal with difficulties and some urgent issues that are related to foreign investment in the country in order to facilitate approved projects. Ministers heard a concluding report on outstanding events in July and adopted prioritized activities for the current month which will focus on the improvement of the short and long term socio-economic development plans and the drafting of the 2001-2002 budget plans. Other activities of the Government included guiding matters related
to exchange rate practices, addressing negative social phenomena such as
drug trafficking, and promoting wet season rice production.
Prime Minister Boungnang Vorachit’s visit to Vietnam, which began on July 18, is of great significance in preserving and boosting the great friendship and cooperation between Laos and Vietnam. Mr. Boungnang’s visit, which took place in the wake of the visit to Laos by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nong Duc Manh early of July, is his first overseas trip since he took office in March this year. The Lao PM met with his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Khai to discuss
measures to implement high-level agreements reached by the two countries
as well as ways to make economic cooperation between Vietnam and Laos more
effective and intensive. They also sought measures to further bilateral
coordination in the process of regional and international integration.
Leaders of the two Parties and states have held regular meetings to define orientations for bilateral multi-form cooperation. In addition, the two countries’ Ministries, localities and mass organizations have exchanged hundreds of visits in recent years. Those visits helped expand Vietnam-Laos special relations in all domains and among the people, particularly the young generations of the two countries. During the recent visit to Laos by Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, both sides affirmed their determination to maintain and unceasingly promote the special friendship and loyal relations between the two Parties and states of Laos and Vietnam. The two sides issued a Laos-Vietnam Joint Communiqué, affirming their determination to boost bilateral economic, transportation, energy, scientific-technological, environmental, and educational cooperation on a long-term basis. Laos and Vietnam have so far signed more than 20 agreements and treaties, creating a favorable legal corridor for multi-form cooperation between the two sides. Recent years saw increasing trade ties between the two countries with two-way trade value amounting to US$ 300 million in 1999, from US$ 200 million in 1998 and US$ 73 million in 1992. Vietnamese businesses are running four supermarkets in Laos’s Khammuan, Bolikhamsay, Champassak and Vientiane provinces. The recent opening of the Laos-Vietnam Joint Venture Bank in Vientiane and Hanoi has helped facilitate the operation of Lao and Vietnamese businesses in the other country. More than 50 Vietnamese businesses are operating in Laos in various domains, including construction materials, chemicals, medicine, cultivation and consumer goods production. With a common borderline of about 2,069km, Laos and Vietnam have cooperated in building road networks linking the two countries and opened international border-gates to facilitate bilateral and sub-regional cooperation. Being members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Laos and Vietnam have closely coordinated their activities at regional and international forums. During the 23rd session of the Laos-Vietnam Inter-governmental Committee
for Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technological Cooperation in Hanoi
last February, both sides agreed to diversify cooperation between the two
Governments. They mapped out orientations and targets for bilateral cooperation
in education training, agriculture, irrigation, transport, post and telecommunications,
industry, tourism, public health, commerce and investment for 2001, and
the 2001-2005 and 2005-2010 periods.
Industries in Laos are to be expanded and their quality improved from now until 2005, according to industrial development plans announced at the recent Seventh Party Congress. Secondary industries in Laos, those that process raw materials into goods for consumption and export, are substandard in comparison to regional and international standards. Basic machines used to process raw materials lack the capital needed for maintenance and upgrading. Business management is still in its infancy and staff has limited qualifications. These are the challenges faced by many in the industrial sector and they need to be resolves step by step in the near future. The development and policy plans for secondary industries from 2001 to 2005, in the fields of foodstuffs and beverages, are split into two main parts. These industries will be surveyed to ascertain their capabilities in obtaining and processing domestic raw materials to ensure that these materials are sufficient in quality and quantity for the factories. Rice, flour, sugarcane, green peas, soy beans, maize, fish and vegetables are used in these industries to produce goods for domestic consumption and for export. Small and medium size industries will expand on various levels to guarantee quantity and quality and to meet with the daily increase in domestic demand. Old industries such as the Fish Sauce Enterprise, Soft Drink Company and Lao Brewery will be developed and the quality of their goods improved. Meanwhile, sugarcane manufacturing is being extended into Pak Ngum district in Vientiane among other places using external capital amounting to US$ 20 million. Its estimated production will be 20,000 tones of sugarcane per year. Vegetable oil packaging plants in Vientiane municipality and vegetable oil processing factories in Savannakhet province are currently operating. As well as this, a new integrated circuit of vegetable oil factories will be built in Vientiane and in the southern parts of the country at a cost of US$ 4 million. The new factories will be able to manufacture 20,000 tones of oil per year. Timber processing industries and products made with wood will be developed and improved at the local level to spur on a rise in the numbers of processed wood items for export. International co-operation will be encouraged to find funding, markets and technology. Around US$ 100 million is needed in the field of processing industries from now until 2005. Cotton weaving, textile producing and garment industries are abundant in the country but these industries import a lot of raw materials to supply to factories every year. In the near future, mulberry cultivation areas will be expanded and cotton weaving and textiles factories will also be constructed in Vientiane to produce 20 million meters of materials per year. This amount will meet around 20 to 30 percent of the expected demand for materials from domestic garment factories for the period from now until 2005. A paper production plant is also being prepared for construction in Vientiane province to manufacture 140,000 tones of paper per year. Bamboo trees will supply the factory. Around US$200 million is needed for the construction of the factory. The construction equipment industry focussing on bricks, tiles, pipes, cement, and iron bars, will be expanded to compensate for the loss of revenue due to increasing imports in this area. Exports in these materials are also on the cards. In addition to the two cement plants in Vang Vieng district, some new cement factories will be built in southern parts of the country to manufacture 60,000 to 80,000 tones of cement per year. Other plants in central parts such as Khammuan province will be able to produce 200,000 to 400,000 tones per year. Saravane province will manufacture around 200,000 tones per year. Around US$ 118 million will be needed for the construction of these factories. The machinery industry will focus on producing small machines to service agriculture and food staff including equipment for fixing these machines and other equipment to use in mine exploration, the electricity industry and transportation. A service industry will be developed to support agricultural production and produce items such as pesticide, bio-extracts, and animal feed. Medical supplies will be boosted to reduce the number of expensive imports. Minister of Industry and Handicrafts, Mr. Soulivong Dalavong said that “during the 1999-2000 period, our national economy suffered because of the economic crisis and this was reflected in the slow growth of handicrafts and industries across the country. But now industries increasing step by step.” In 1995 there were over 10,000 factories throughout the country and over 20,000 plants were operating in 2000. Roughly 96 percent of these were processing factories. To accomplish the plans above the concerned authorities have to actively follow the policies of the recent Seventh Party Congress. If all of these projects succeed, they will attract foreign currencies
to the country and the domestic economy will develop.
A two-day meeting was opened in Vientiane to disseminate the Forestry Law and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to the public. The meeting drew the attention of 50 representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, provinces, Vientiane prefecture, Saysomboune Special Zone, and international organizations in Laos as well as representatives from Vietnam, China, and Cambodia. The Chief of the Agriculture and Forestry Ministerial Cabinet stated that Laos is a country abundant in forestry resources, aquatic animals and wild life. The Party and government have drawn up correct guidelines and policies on the management and protection of forestry resources, aquatic animals and wild life with a focus on conservation along with socio-economic development to improve people’s living conditions. The government has issued laws, decrees, rules and regulations, and instructions as instruments in the management and protection of forestry resources, aquatic animals and wild life. The Lao government signed the international treaty on bio-diversity conservation in 1996. This marked a milestone in the management and protection of forestry resources, aquatic animals and wild life in Laos. It is the duty of countries in the region as well as in the world at large to protect global ecology and to enrich the environment. Supported by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) in Indochina, the meeting reported on the protection and management
of aquatic animals and wild life. Participants discussed experiences and
lessons drawn from Vietnam, China and Cambodia after their entry into the
CITES commitment.
A total sum of US$ 30 million will be used to develop a small city comprised of about 23 districts in the southern provinces of the country. The project will start in 2003, and will finish in 2008 under the ADB's Small City Development Project. The money is part of a loan from the Asian Development Bank and the project is in the survey phase in order to ensure correct information about the development area is obtained. The project also educates people in the area of the profits they will receive, and it does not effect the environmental. In the past projects such as this one have already succeeded in the many areas including Say district in Oudomsay province, Namtha district in Luang Namtha province, and Pek district in Xieng Khuang province. This time, the seminar was held in Paksun district, Bolikhamsay province.
The main topic of the meeting was the planning of the development city
and its environmental impacts.
Many companies and construction equipment suppliers who run their businesses in Laos, under business law of Lao and have a goods import certificate, import goods for sale and have to pay 20 % tax. Some companies who import products for use, such as building companies who import cement, pay only 1% tax, and then attempt to sell these products to consumers to make a large profit. In addition, some of the companies who sell these goods misinform customs
and pay less
The goods are imported to the country, which the government realizes is important for development and construction. Many parts of the country are undergoing development and construction so that there is more and more demand construction supplies and socio-economic development. Recently the government and party have introduced a new rule, which applies to importing of foreign goods. Any of goods that can be produced in Laos in sufficient numbers to supply
the market are not allowed to import. However, some goods cannot be produced
in Laos at the moment due to a lack of facilities, such as cement, iron
and other products, and these goods may be imported from other countries.
The Ministry of Industry and Handicrafts (MIH) has been carrying out a feasibility study on the Nam Ngiep-1 Hydroelectric Power Project (Phase II) since March 2001 assisted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The first general workshop for the inception report was held as scheduled at the national level with about 120 participants. The proposed dam site is located on the middle reach of the Nam Ngiep River about 60 km upstream from the Paksun joins with the Mekong River. The Phase I study, that had been conducted from July 1998 until February 2000, concluded that both alternatives, the full supply water level (FSL) 360m large-scale and the FSL 320m medium-scale dam scheme's, were feasible from the environmental, social, economic and financial aspects. However, considering the significant reduction of environmental and social impacts, the FSL 320m medium-scale dam alternative was recommended in the Phase I study. The Phase II study aims to re-examine and improve the optimum development scheme and its economical and financial evaluations recommended in the Phase I study by conducting more detailed surveys and analyses. The final report of this study is scheduled be submitted in October 2002. The basic approach and methodology of the Phase II study were presented by the members of the JICA study team. Field surveys are to be conducted including aerial photo mapping at the reservoir and dam site, the collection of hydrological and meteorological data and power market surveys in Thailand. The surveys are to be carried out; then the alternatives of prospective full supply water level in the reservoir will be studied from environmental, economical, technical and financing viewpoints to seek the optimum development scale of the project. The second general workshop is scheduled by MIH and JICA in Paksun,
Bolikhamsay Province at the national level in late February 2002 for the
presentation of the interim report, which will provide the results of field
surveys as well as studies on reexamined project scheme.
The Educational Promotion Foundation (EPF) held a hand-over ceremony of scholarship for students for 2001-2002. Presided over by Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and EPF President. EPF was set up in 1997 with its key function being attracting, and providing funds for educational affairs. As for 2000-2001, EPF provided 100 scholarships valued at over 13 million kip for students at primary schools who are good at study and have good manners, but are from poorer backgrounds. They provided 8 scholarships valued at over six million kip in the form of examination for secondary schools, 46 scholarships valued at 42 million kip for university level, 10 scholarships valued at eight million kip for vocational ethnic students, scholarships for ethnic schools valued at 50 million kip, scholarships for good students at boarding schools from upcountry or provinces valued at 43 million kip, and paid for teachers who helped teaching students at boarding schools at a cost of over 30 million kip. In addition, EPF presented gifts valued at six million kip for 30 teachers of excellent standard. A number of state and private sectors provided 625 million kip to EPF
on the same day and the Koshikai Foundation of Japan also presented US
$ 10,000 to EPF. The foundation had so far presented US $ 30,000 to EPF.
The goods transport across the Lao-Chinese border needs to be revised in response to the growing economic cooperation between the two countries. The Director of the Transport Department, Ministry of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction, said the agreement on Lao-Chinese cross border goods transport which is currently in use does not conform to the growth in economic and trade co-operation between the two countries. Under the agreement signed in 1993, Laos allowed Chinese buses and lorries to travel deep into its three northern provinces, including Oudomsay, Luang Namtha, and Phongsaly. Whereas China allows buses and lorries from Laos to travel up to La district and, Jing Hong of Yunnan province. This practice is limited, said the director adding that the protocol
on cross border transport between the two countries needs revamping. Last
year, the gross trade value between Laos and China totaled US$ 40.84 million,
including border trade.
The construction of more 30-boundary marker posts has been completed from point 15-16 along the 100 km-long Lao and Thai border, covering the points 16-32. The work covers Mounlapamok district, Champassak province, and Thailand's Nam-Nheun district, Ubon Ratchathani province, and the finished work were inspected by Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad. Currently 30 marking posts have been placed since the operation started
in December 2000. During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister talked to
staff and security officers working along the border, and congratulated
their performances, saying that the mission contributed significantly to
encouraging peace and stability along the two countries’ common border.
The Deputy Prime Minister presented gifts to staff working in the area.
The General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Mr. Nong Duc Manh paid a four-day official visit to Laos. General Secretary Nong Duc Manh was greeted at the National Assembly by President of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Mr. Khamtay Siphandone. The two Party leaders also met with high-ranking officials from both nations. The General Secretary and his delegation attended an official meeting at the Party Central Committee Office. During the meeting both sides informed each other of the outstanding success of their countries during the last period of development. The two Party leaders also exchanged ideas about the ways to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. The two sides were pleased with their renovation policies, which continue to contribute to strengthening Lao- Vietnamese cooperation. The cooperation between the two countries has been expanding in terms of politics, economy, culture, defense and foreign affairs. At the meeting the two sides also discussed a cooperation strategy for the 21st century and they also agreed upon various measures, which will support the development of commerce, trade science and technology, culture, tourism and human resources. International and regional matters were also discussed at the meeting. Laos and Vietnam confirmed that they would continue to cooperate with neighboring countries. The two countries will make efficient contributions to cooperation in the Asian region with the aim of contributing to peace, friendship, and nuclear- free zone between ASEAN countries. The cooperation between Laos, Vietnam and other Asian countries is based on the interests of the people in the region and in the world. The two countries will also cooperate with the advanced powers in the world to build relations of equality between differing political and economic systems and to make the world a place of peace, cooperative development and prosperity. The objective of the General Secretary's visit is to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries, and to expand all-round cooperation between the parties, governments and peoples of the two countries. While in Laos, General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and his delegation also
visited Champassak province.
The old flame of cooperation between Laos and Mongolia wag rekindled with the visit of Mongolia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erdenechuluun Luvsangiin, who arrived in Vientiane on July 29 for a three-day official visit. High level foreign ministry officials from both countries pondered developments in the regional situation and talked of the success of Lao-Mongolian relations in the past, during a meeting. The Lao delegation to this meeting was lead by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad. The Mongolian delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Erdenechuluun Luvsangiin, was very keen to highlight the importance of the tight cooperation between the two countries. Both sides agreed that although the world situation was in constant flux there continued a strong trend towards peace and stability, a part of which was the cooperation between Laos and Mongolia. The two Foreign Ministers promised to respect the right of each country to select its own national future and assured each other that regional change would not have a detrimental impact on the cooperation between the two nations allies and political cousins. The two foreign ministers reviewed and evaluated the last decade, which has seen the exchange of a number of high-ranking delegations from both countries, cooperate in a diverse number of areas. These include education, public health, agriculture and Mongolian training for Lao officers. Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad took this special opportunity to express the nation's deep appreciation for all that Mongolia has done. Future cooperation was assured via the signing of various documents
between the two ministries. They vowed to push for more exchanges between
the two countries' officials, exchange information on world and regional
issues, and widen multilateral cooperation as much as possible. The Mongolian
Foreign Minister also donated medicine worth US$ 3,000 to support Lao-Mongolia
Hospital in Xieng Khuang province.
His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino of Japan arrived in Vientiane for his 10-day unofficial visit to the Lao PDR. His Imperial Highness was given a warm welcome at the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge by Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and a number of other senior officials. Mr. Yoshinori Miyamoto, Japanese Ambassador and his Embassy staff also took part in the ceremony. During his stay in Laos, Prince Akishino visited several villages and
provinces, namely Oudomsay, Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Vientiane municipality.
Cooperation among four provinces, namely Gia Lai and Kon Turn in Vietnam, Attopeu in Laos and Ratanakiri in Cambodia were agreed upon at the first meeting of the Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian expert group. The meeting took place in Hanoi and was convened in order to implement the Initiative of Cooperation for Development in the three countries' border regions put forward by the three Prime Ministers in October 1999. The cooperation aims to promote economic ties among the four provinces, particularly in communications, commerce, tourism, agro-forestry, and energy. The enhancement of the three countries' cooperation will benefit the peoples three countries as well as the international and regional trend toward development. The second meeting to be held in Vientiane early next year to discuss
communications and trade cooperation in these provinces.
Houaphanh province was one of the areas in Laos to be bombarded by the US air force during the Indo-China war. As a consequence, of what was then the heaviest aerial bombardment in history, many unexploded bombs remain in Houaphanh. Today, some areas of this bombarded land have been developed. The weirs of Nam Bong 1 and 2, Nam Peo and Chak in Vienthong district are just some of the developments that have taken place. The Intensive Care Unit Building at the provincial hospital and cluster schools at Xiengkho and Sobhao district were completed in 1999 and a transfer ceremony for this Humanitarian Assistance Project in Houaphanh province was held on July in Vientiane. The project was built at a cost of over US$250,000 and funded by US Defense Department's Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civil Affairs Fund. The humanitarian aid provides adequate water for a second crop of rice, and thereby reduces opium poppy production, decreases slash and burn cultivation, and expands education and health facilities. The Nam Bong weir is able to provide water to 32 hectares of farmland affecting more than 400 villages. The cluster schools in Xiengkho and Sobhao district serve as resource centers for teachers from surrounding schools. This Defense Department Fund is intended to thank the Lao people for helping the US to retrieve American soldiers missing in action in Laos through the Joint Task Force-Full Accounting team looking for the remains of the missing Americans. US Charge d' Affaires Karen Stewart presided over the transfer ceremony
for the Projects in Houaphanh province.
The government of Japan recently extended its Grant Assistance for Grassroots projects to Savannakhet province to fund the construction of Kengkokdong and Phondok Primary Schools in Champhone district. The Ministry of Education held the signing ceremony for the Grant Assistance to Savannakhet Province. The construction of Kengkokdong Primary School will cost US$ 46,577 and the construction of Phondok Primary School will require US$ 46,321. The signing ceremony was held on July 19, at the Ministry of Education, in Vientiane. Contracts for the grant assistance were signed by Japanese Ambassador
Mr. Yoshinori Miyamoto and the Heads of Kengkokdong and Phondok Villages.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency donated some technical equipment for strengthening the irrigation water management capacities of the Department of Irrigation for effective water management, with a total cost of US$67,570. This equipment includes nine sets of Desktop Computers with printers, three scanners, one big size drawing plotter and one set of Topographic Total Station, two sets of auto level and an LCD projector. The primary objective of this equipment hand over was to help strengthen such water management skills and enhance irrigation training for government personnel. The computer sets will contribute to the planning of appropriate water distribution and the processing of various data relating to water management. The survey equipment will soon contribute to the progress of efficient canal construction and area measurement. The Lao Government has long supported the advancement of irrigation systems as Part of agricultural development to encourage food self-sufficiency and alleviate poverty. One example of such governmental supports of the irrigation development is the National Pumps Installation Management Project, which has brought a sharp increase in the number of dry-season irrigation systems since 1996. However, the Lao authorities concerned are not able to keep up with the current rapid development of irrigation systems, mostly because of insufficiency in water control service and the low-quality skills of irrigation user. In order to solve this problem, there is a need to promote more efficient utilization of water resources. The strengthening of irrigation water management capacities therefore becomes the key to solving the discrepancy between the fast development of irrigation facilities and the slow advancement of irrigation water management capacities. The Director General of the Irrigation Department express his profound
thank to JICA for contributing the irrigation equipment, as many scales
of irrigation systems were an example of their achievement. Since 1996,
the Lao PDR has been able to provide sufficient amount of rice thanks to
JICA’s technical assistance.
The 2001 Lao-Australia cattle insemination project has progressed well since it started in January. Alan Guy of Guy Investment Ltd. as implementing consultant for the Vientiane Province Livestock Department has worked on the project with Livestock Department staff from the province, Vang Vieng, Phoukhoune and Luang Prabang. His services are provided for the project on a “no fee". All project expenses are paid for by Guy Investment Ltd. The project staff have received training in pregnancy and insemination work. The project area covers 220 kilometers from Phonhong to Phoukhoune, with 14 villages and 64 farmers participating. During three programs a total of 171 cattle were checked, 26 were found to be already with calf, 19 unsuitable, and 126 were inseminated with semen from Australian tropical beef cattle that are tick free. Following pregnancy checks in the 19 villages at the three-month stage, 106 were found to be with calf. These calves are due in November and December. AESOP Business Volunteers from Canberra, Australia, have participated in the project by sending an experienced Australian farmer to carry out the insemination work and veterinarian to carry out a project review and pregnancy checks ahead of the calving period. The project has involved travel of over 5000 kilometers to date, and 38 days work in many different conditions, lowland and highland. The Lao-European Union Livestock project funded the purchase of semen and supplies for the project, and in return received training for several of their Vientiane and Luang Prabang staff from an AESOP volunteer. The calves from the work carried out in 2000 are progressing well and
the farmers are proud of their new Lao-Australian beef calves.
A signing ceremony for grant assistance for the Lao-French teaching project was held in Vientiane recently. The agreement was signed between French Ambassador Renaud Levy and Deputy Education Minister Khamtan Chanthala. The grant aid was worth 6 million francs and will be used to provide French teachers for general French classes, buy materials for teaching and learning and other project necessities. It will also be used for the evaluation of the French teaching project from July 2001 to June 2004. Another 7.5 million francs will be used to provide Lao-French teachers
for secondary schools, upgrade the abilities of French teachers, and support
50 second year math, science students from the National University's Faculty
of Pedagogy.
Buddhist Aid Center (BAC) of Japan gave funds valued at US$ 304,000 to the Ministry of Education to improve school construction, and undertake the sixth basic educational development project in Laos. The Education Ministry and BAC signed an agreement for cooperation between both sides in July at the ministry, with the project to run from 2001 to 2003. The main objective of the project is to build primary schools, repair
some already existing schools and provide training for the improvement
of teachers' abilities in Luang Prabang province, as well as the planned
construction of 15 new schools in Laos.
Prime Minister Boungnang Vorachit and Asian Development Bank President Tadao Chino officially opened the new office of the ADB’s Resident Mission in Vientiane on July 16. President Chino described the event as “a major milestone in the ADB’s development partnership with the Government and people of Laos and with other members of the development community and civil society.” President Chino noted that the Lao PDR, which is a founding member of the ADB, has to date received about US$ 1 billion in loans and technical assistance from the ADB. He added, “there is much more to achieve and the ADB is committed to work very closely with the government and people of the Lao PDR to reduce poverty, to promote economic and social development, and to strengthen regional cooperation.” The ADB expects to finalize a new Country Strategy and Program (CSP) very soon, which will provide strategic directions for its operations in the Lao PDR for the next five years. “Poverty reduction through broadening community participation and expanding economic opportunities” will be the theme of the new strategy. ADB will focus on rural development and market linkages, human resource development, sustainable environment management, and private sector development and regional integration. The ADB representative in Lao PDR, said ADB proposes to provide assistance
in 2001 for three projects with concessionary loans totaling about US$
65 million and grant technical assistance of about US$ 5 million.
A country Project Implementation and Administration Seminar is being held in Vientiane from. The seminar is a joint effort between the Ministry of Finance and the Asian Development Bank. The seminar is geared to meet the needs of 31 participants, including project managers and other key staff selected from executing agencies of ADB-assisted projects currently under implementation in Laos. Also participating are officers earmarked for the new projects expected to be approved in the near future. The topics covered in the seminar include the ADB's procurement guidelines and procedures and the ADB's anti-corruption policy; the procedures for the recruitment of consultants; the disbursement procedures and project accounting. The objective of the seminar is to ensure borrower understanding of
the ADB's policies, procedures and practices. It is envisioned that the
seminar will help the participants to acquire skills that will contribute
to improving project quality, which will ultimately lead to the achievement
of the overall development objectives of the Lao PDR.
A conference examining the use of foreign labor in Laos was held recently in accordance with section 749 of the directive of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. The conference was held at the Chantabouly district, and attended by the deputy head of the Labor’s department, the municipality police chief, municipality level inspector delegations from 9 districts and the chiefs, of Dongmieng, Thongtoum, and Thongkhankham villages. The conference aimed to examine illegal labor in Laos after some foreigners holding expired passports were found. Most of them were traders, not workers. These traders sell goods along the roads without paying tax to the state. Officials gave them advice on how to extend their visas, and informed them of the legal requirements of working in Laos. Officials were urged to consider the problem of illegal labor because
it is harmful to the development of the national economy. In the
past, this matter was not taken seriously enough.
Saravane Youth Union Committee will be investing around 300 million kip in 3 priority programs in order to develop youth, at the end of this year. The provincial Youth Union Secretary of Saravane province informed the press about 3 programs that will be launched to develop youth by investing 300 million kip. Of this amount, 100 million kip will come from the Government, and 200 million kip will come from International Organizations. The 3 programs will be used to create garment centers in Vapy, Khong Sedone and Lakhonepheng districts, and promotion of horticulture, animal husbandry and sport training, which will take place in 8 target villages, with other activities involving the clearing of unexploded ordnance. The population of Saravane is over 270 thousand, and has a young population
of about 50 thousands, of which 6,200 are members of the Youth Union.
The authorities of Vientiane province recently informed the press that in the fiscal year of 2000 to 2001, the Sports Office received a budget from the Government to clear provincial stadium areas. The budget amounted to 50 million kip to be allocated to over 7 ha in the municipality. The area clearance process is now completed. The provincial Sports Office will also receive a government budget worth
868 million kip in the fiscal year of 2001-2002, for the construction of
stadiums for sporting competitions and other activities. The government
will also assist this construction process, aiming to finish the stadiums
by 2006, in time to host the Eighth National Games.
These days many foreigners can experience more Lao culture in their own countries, because thousands of Lao people have established their homes overseas. It has witnessed Lao Traditional Festivals in the United States of America such as Khao Phansa Festival (Entering Lent) day, Ok Phansa Festival (the final and most important day of Lent), That Luang Festival, and many more. The rituals of Tak Baat (offering gifts to the monks) have been held in many Lao temples in America, the same as in Laos. Lao people and foreigners have participated in these traditional festivals, and they have shown a great interest in the background and origins of each of these festivals. When they have a further understand of Lao tradition perhaps each year they will take part in these festivals, which are a source of much pride to Lao people, in order to make merit, do Tak Baat and pray for a good way of life for themselves and their families. Many Lao people living overseas have been married to foreigners who have taken a keen interest Lao Tradition before the wedding. The matrimonial ceremony was held in the traditional Lao style of Hae Keuy (Bridegroom makes a procession of Phakuan to Bride), with Phakuan, white string tying ceremony, and the giving of respect to their parents or the oldest relatives, the same ceremonies as in Laos. These new cross-cultural families would do well to teach their children
about Lao traditions and culture, so that they will keep Lao tradition
alive overseas. Lao people feel proud of those living overseas who maintain
Lao traditions and teach Lao culture to foreigners to enlighten them.
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