“The Leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party at all times maintains a close link with the masses, shires happiness and misery with the people, lends ear to, trusts in and rely on the masses. These are the never-drying-up source of the strength of the Party. The Party is always honest to the basic interest of the working people. The Party has no other ideals but does everything for independence and progress of the country, for peace, happiness and wealth of the people of various ethnic, groups. The formulation of guidelines and policies, the settlement of problems, and the implementation of the guidelines and policies are based on the aspirations of the people and in their interest. The tasks of the Party, and of the revolution are thus automatically the tasks of the masses and of the entire nation.” LPRP Central Committee President Khamtay Siphandone was speaking to a rally at the National Culture Hall on March 22 morning to mark the 45th anniversary of the foundation of the Party. 

Over 1,000 attendees included members of the LPRPCC Executive Committee, the LPRFICC Politburo, and the LPRPCC, senior military and police officers, dignitaries, veteran revolutionaries, and representatives, of the diplomatic corps and international organisations. 

The Party President expressed great gratitude and profound mourning for the late respected President Kaysone  Phomvihane, and for the other senior Party-state leaders who founded and developed the Party. He extended warm greetings from the Party and state leadership to cadres and officers who were safeguarding the nation and the well-being of the Lao people, extending further greetings and calling on workers, farmers, students, revolutionary intellectuals, and all compatriots domestically and overseas to devote their intellects and physical strength for the wealth and strength of the beloved, sacred nation. 

The Party President spoke of the history of the struggle and growth of the LPRP over the past 45 years. He said the founding of the Party was an important milestone and a decisive turning point in the history and growth of the Lao nation. He said the Party pays constant attention to fostering the traditions of diligence, creativeness, independence, and self-reliance, striving to realize the two strategic tasks of national defense, and construction and development. 

"In implementation of these two strategic tasks, we have achieved great victories in many areas despite difficulties and fierce complex trials as well as the state of least development of the country, severely damaged by decades of war" said President Khamtay Siphandone, adding that the country started development almost from scratch. He explained that under the brilliant guidance of the Party, the Lao people had thwarted all subversive schemes and blockade of hostile forces, firmly defending the nation's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and ensuring social security and order. The administration of the people's democratic regime has been established and improved systematically. 

His speech also put a stress on positions, steps, and preparedness of Laos for the 21st century while the country was at a decisive point for building strength for the new century.  

The Party with other nations, our country are prepared to enter the new century. Peace and development have progressed while turmoil and conflicts are happening in many parts of the world. Economic and cultural cooperation among nations has been broadened in the face of a threat of intervention and fierce competition. This has resulted in the increased gap in the level of development among nations, and the increased threat for the least developed countries to lose their interest and to be swallowed." 

He advised that it is necessary to strengthen the Party in all aspects, particularly the preservation of the class nature and the outstanding character of a revolutionary, modification of ways of guidance and operation to ensure its leading role as a vanguard, and guidance of the people in materializing the cause of renovation and fulfilling the national goals. 

The President affirmed the continuation of fostering the fine nature and tradition of the Party, to fulfill the great historic tasks delegated by the nation and people. 

He called on Party members and combatants to exert efforts to nourish revolutionary moral and qualities, to consolidate internal unity, to upgrade knowledge in all fields, and to maintain close links with the masses. He further called for a high sense of responsibility, fulfilling the tasks assigned by the Party and state for the strength grid might of the Party, as well as to drag the country out of the “least developed” class in pace with other countries in the world. 

The President also said " In the immediate future, we have to develop democracy within the Party and in society as a whole. This will be linked with increased responsibility and strictness in discipline. Continued efforts will be made in building and improving the democracy promoting mechanism along with ensuring the centralized and united leadership." 
 
 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OPENS FIFTH SESSION 

The National Assembly (NA) opened its Fifth Ordinary Session with laws concerning land transportation, pharmaceuticals and medical products, and education put on the top of its agenda for consideration and adoption.

NA members considered adjusting some articles of the criminal law and gave amendments on the draft Law of local administration.

Attending the Fifth Ordinary Session included President Khamtay Siphandone and Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh.

During the session the NA members listened to the report of the election of a new member of the 181, constituency of Saysomboun Special Zone and summarized the NA members' activities since the fourth legislature.

On the first day of the session, Deputy Prime Minister Bounyang Vorachit reported on the country's socioeconomic development implementation plan for the fiscal year 1999-2000. NA members also informed on the guideline to implement the last six- months of the plan for this year. A major theme focused on building the                   provinces to become priority units of economic development, With districts to be planning units and villages to be the units of implementation.      

President of the National Assembly Samane Viyaket stated in his opening speech that the country had achieved its basic targets. "We adopted the state budget for this fiscal year at the Fourth Ordinary Session, and we were especially able to control our currency from further depreciation. It is now stable. Some governing mechanism systems have been improved and domestic production has increased," Mr Samane said.

He added, "This session is very important because in the past the NA members adopted and adjusted only the laws which concerned economic and administrative sectors, but during this session NA members will consider and adopt laws governing the social and cultural sectors."

The National Assembly President stressed that members had to contemplate and discuss in detail the efficacy of all the laws.

Finance Minister Bounyang highlighted some of the achievements of the first five-months of the plan and also some of the problems so far experienced. He added, "Early this fiscal year, Laos was still affected by the financial crisis; however, our leaders and all of society have worked together to solve the basics of the problem. Presently, the economic situation is much better because the kip is stable and agricultural products last fiscal year (1998-99) reached to 2.1 million tones and rice production was especially improved. This level of foodstuff production was enough for domestic consumption and provided enough for some exports. The report said that this year 91, 860 hectares of dry season rice has been planted, and added that both animal breeding and agricultural production increased.

The rate of currency depreciation dropped from 120 percent in September last year to 75 percent in February 2000.  The kip/dollar exchange rate is now at a steady 7,500 kip.

Mr Bounyang added that "the government continues to open the country  and cooperate with international organizations and the ASEAN nations, especially in terms of cooperation and trade with Vietnam and China."

He stressed that during the first six-months of the fiscal year, Laos' GDP increased 4 percent. The government invested in 1,371 projects totaling 510 billion kip, including government funds of 73.26 billion kip and foreign funds of 437 billion kip.

The government was required to pay 135 billion kip for provincial irrigation projects and so far has paid 35 billion kip. It also earmarked 12.5 billion kip for the six-road improvement project in Vientiane municipality.

However, the report added that some of the targets set for local production were not met and the country still imports too many goods from neighboring countries. Illegal smuggling was also said to be a problem. As a result Laos continues to face a trade deficit and pressure on the local currency. Mr Bounyang added that the most important weakness was that the macro-economic management was still not as efficient and efficacious as it should be.
 
 

PM CALLS FOR MORE FOREIGN INVESTMENT 

In a recent interview with the Japanese Neikki newspaper, Prime  Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh spoke of the need for more foreign investment to foster the country's economic development. 

Since 1986, he said, the Lao PDR has opened to foreign investment in various sectors and formulated laws and regulations on foreign investment management. "In order to conform to the real economic situation and attract more foreign investment, “he said "we have made changes to our investment law." These include:

• 3-year exemption from enterprise investment profit taxes;
•  equal rights and interests of national and foreign investors;
• capital goods import tariff exemption for promoted investment projects;
•  domestic market distribution of investment project products;
•  allowing 100% foreign investment;
•  allowing 30-year leases for industrial premises;
•  facilitation of capital goods custom clearance for approved investment projects;
•  work permits for foreign experts, management technicians, and skilled mechanics;
•  one-year multiple-entry visas for foreign staff and their families.

NA SESSION ON DRUGS AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT 

March 29 was the sixth day of the fifth ordinary session of the National Assembly (NA) (Fourth Legislature), chaired by NA President Samane Vignakhet. 

Members discussed a bill on drug and medical equipment, brought in from a March 27 meeting. After discussions on each article, the bill was adopted. 

The Government and the Public Health Ministry have already issued non-comprehensive regulations on drug and medical equipment, to improve the quality and security of production, import, export, and management of drug and medical equipment. 

The adopted bill, with eight chapters and 44 articles, gives Party policy and guidance. The bill covers strengthening of medical resources, modem and traditional medicine combination, quality drug and medicine supply, security and reasonable pricing, reasonable use, encouragement of investment and research, drug production, and international cooperation.
 

GOVERNMENT PRESENTS BUDGET REPORT 

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bounyang Vorachit on March 23 presented a government report on the implementation of the first half of the 1999-2000 budget plan to the National Assembly fifth ordinary session.

He said that income had reached 757.88 billion kip, equal to 45 per cent of the annual budget, expenditure was 889.69 billion kip, and foreign debt payment reached 101.11 billion kip.  

The Deputy Prime Minister also talked of a new policy of creating province, strategy units and district planning and budget units, with village basic levels to implement and foster revenue generation, implemented since the early  budget plan.

The main income sources, he said, were taxation (412.5 billion kip), customs duty (84.85 billion kip), land tax (1.59 billion kip), state property tax (59.3 billion kip), and forestry resources tax (85.88 billion kip). 

Though the budget plan was being implemented smoothly, the revenue was failing short of the target, particularly in the northern provinces. There were unplanned expenditures and new debt creation by some sectors, and at local levels and provinces there was late payment of monthly salaries which affected civil servant living conditions. The impact was attributed to the below target first quarter revenue collection and a low level of public savings.
 

MEETING FOR DIGITAL MAP EDITING IN NGD 

The Digital Map editing System was introduced for the Mekong GIS Project in National Geographic Department by JICA. The System was installed in November, 1999. After nearly two months of the system configuration work, the System is operated by NGD staff with the instruction of JICA Study Team.

The System is composed of 11 PC's with 21 inches monitor, one A3 size colour printer and one A4 size inkjet printer.

There are many software were loaded within the PC's.  The room in which the System was installed were modified from ordinary working room to the modern computer before the System installation with introduction of new electricity. The comfortable condition of the newly modified room will promote the further progress of the Project.

The present work by using the System is mainly to digitize and to input the existing topographic maps with a scale 100,000. The System will be used to create SPOT satellite orth-image next year, and various further work concerning to GID data generation.  JICA Study Team member said that the operation ability and understanding for GIS of staff is remarkably progressed. The NGD will be the GIS data center and consulting center of GIS system in the Lao PDR in near future.
 

NEW STEP FOR LAO WATER SUPPLY COMPANY 

Recently a Norwegian government grant of 20 million Kroner (US$ 1.25 million) was handed over to Lao government.

The grant will be used in a two-year water supply improvement project, and to improve management and administration in all provinces, with 3,000,000 Kroner for this year, and 7,000,000 Kroner for 2001. 

The agreement signing ceremony was held at the Communications, Transport, Post and Construction Ministry office in Vientiane between the Deputy Minister and the Norwegian Norad Foundation General Director.
 

FORUM FOR IMPROVING LAOS’S JUDICIARY 

The Ministry of Justice and the World Bank Legal Framework Development Project held a workshop to discuss the results of several reports mandated by the Ministry of Justice on legal issues for Lao PDR's development.

Three reports were discussed, a diagnostic study, one focusing on the development and strengthening of the Lao legal framework, and one focusing on the Lao judiciary's weaknesses. 

Day three and four were dedicated to Laos' membership in ASEAN, its proposed accession to WTO, and to arbitration for the settlement of economic disputes in Lao PDR. 

The workshop offered all participants, including officials from the National Assembly, the Prime Minister's Office, the Supreme Court, the Office of the Public Prosecutor, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice, an opportunity to get acquainted with the major legal obstacles to the country's development and some ways to solve them. 

Moreover, it gave responsible officials an opportunity to assess their work in order to sharpen it in regards to the specific Lao context. 

On this last day, which was dedicated to recommendations on solutions to address the most urgent legal issues, all the participants expressed their satisfaction with the sessions and the quality of the discussions.
 
 

NAMBARK DISTRICT OUT FROM DARKNESS

Living in a valley of darkness for long years, finally 24 hours of light came to the remote villages of Ban Nammong, Huaang, Vangheen, Mockvadd, Phonhom, Parmong, Vangkham of Nambark District, Luang Prabang Province. The opening ceremony of the Nammong Micro-Hydropower station was held on March 9 at the dam site jointly organized by the Industry and Handicraft Ministry, the Japanese Embassy, and the local administration. 

After survey and design in 1998, construction began last June and was finished in February. The project was funded by the Japanese Industry and International Trade, and managed by the Japanese New Energy Foundation. The site will be under Japanese supervision for the next four years before being finally handed over to Lao management, 

The dam has a 30 meters flood weir 4.5 meters high to hold the water, which is then sent down a 900m steel pipe to the machine house 18m lower. The water over the turbine will produce up to, 70 kw of electricity to be sent through 10 kilometers of 22kv transmission lines and to 469 houses in 7 villages. 

At present, the supply of power to remote areas in Luang Prabang is not widespread, but the province has a great potential for electricity development with small, medium and large dams. The major obstacle for transmission lines from the urban to rural areas is the high cost.  Most materials must be imported, for example one kilometer of 22 kw of transmission line costs around US$13,000. There is a lot of distance between villages in the north of Laos, and each village is small, with only a few houses, so the cost is high and the  potential beneficiaries few. 
 

SAYABOURY IRRIGATION CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

The construction of the state-funded Nam Tien irrigation project is to cost over US$5 million. A Vietnamese corporation is overseeing construction, and Lao staff are responsible for technical works. 

The new irrigation will be composed of a 650 meter-long reservoir, 70 meters  high, and seven meters wide, able to hold 14 million cubic meters of water. It will provide water to over 100 ha of two seasons of rice cultivation, encouraging the halt of tree-felling in slash-and-bum cultivation. Construction began last October, and will finish October 2003.
 
 

GOVERNMENT EXPECTS OVER 240B IN REVENUE FROM TAXES 

Over 240 billion kip is expected to be collected in the fiscal year 1999- 2000, a tax official reported at the annual meeting of the Tax Department on in Vientiane.

The Tax Department held a two- day meeting at the Ministry of Finance. The objective, of this meeting was to review last year's conclusion and to draw up a plan for the year 2000. The Tax Department falls under the supervision and management of the Finance Ministry. It has an important role in research, leading, and tax rule regulation.

During the fiscal year 1997-98, over 205 million kip was collected from taxes, but in the last fiscal year 1998-99, the total tax revenue figure declined to 137 million kip. The official attributed the decline to the lingering effects of the regional financial crisis. He said the national currency kip also depreciated over 100 percent and this was said to have adversely affected the level of Lao exports. The Tax Department had to reduce in a half the import tax from Vietnam and China.

Goods imported for investment purposes were cut to remain at one percent, especially vehicles which were said to be the fastest growing type of imported good.

Goods imported and sold at duty fee international shops have increased. However, the import of illegal goods is still a big, problem, the official said.

The Tax Department wants to increase its cooperation with other Asian countries' international tax departments because tax officials in Laos want to improve their working systems in preparation to become a member of the World Trade Organisation.
 
 

ADB TO FUND LAOS’ RURAL FINANCIAL SECTOR 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said that it will provide a US$ 2.02 million technical assistance package to Laos in a bid to help boost the nation's rural financial sector. 

The Manila-based multilateral financial body said in a bulletin issued that the rural finance development project it has decided to fund aims to develop a market-oriented system which is accessible to rural households and enterprises in the country.

The technical assistance will also strengthen the nation's central bank's ability to develop rural finance, help the Agricultural Promotion Bank increase its capability.

Since over half of Lao population are engaged in agriculture, the Lao government's approach to reducing poverty focuses on rural development and raising agricultural productivity.
 
 

FIVE KEY EXPORTING PROJECTS 

The Director of the Trade and Tourism Sector told the Lao Commercial news recently that Borikhamsay has established 5 production projects to reduce its level of imports and increase exports.

The first project is a 739 million kip animal-food factory operated by the province's Rural-Development Company and the Machinery Electricity Institute under the Vietnamese Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry. The project produces pigs, chickens and 5 tones of fish food, enough to reduce imports of these products by US$500,000. The project has also bought over 1,500 tones of corn over 1, 100 tones of rice, over 620 tones of jam beans, 120 tones of cassava and over 600 tones of peanuts from farmers.

An 800 million kip 2 hectare orange garden expects to harvest more than 2,000 tones a year for the purpose of exporting to Hong Kong and to supply the domestic market. 

An instant noodle factory with a production capacity of 3 to 3.5 million packages a month or 42 million packages per year is expected to cut imports by US$2 million by exporting the same value abroad.

A 460 million kip ginger pickle factory projects expects to produce 100-150 tones of ginger pickles a year.

An integration production project operated by the Ministry of Defense, Zone One is producing 350 egg laying chickens, 150,000 fish, 50 pigs, planting rice, and corn and cassava on 20 ha to produce 1 tone of animal feed per day.
 

LAO-VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTERS TALK 

Measures to implement agreements signed by Lao and Vietnamese leaders to strengthen the special solidarity, friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam were discussed in Hanoi.

Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien held talks with Lao Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, in Hanoi during the latter's six-day official visit to Vietnam. They informed each other of the situation in their country and compared notes on international and regional issues. 

They also discussed orientation and measures to boost cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries. Deputy PM Somsavat Lengsavad thanked the Vietnamese Party        and people for their celebration of the 45th founding anniversary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (March 22) and their warm, sentiments and valuable support for the Lao people in the revolutionary cause and in national renovation and construction.

Minister Nien expressed high appreciation for the visit, and the two ministers pledged to spare no effort to consolidate and develop the special solidarity, friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States and people of Vietnam and Laos, as well as to strengthen bilateral cooperation in external affairs. 

They agreed that, in the context of rapid and complicated developments in the world and the region, Laos and Vietnam should strengthen coordination in external activities, thus contributing to boosting solidarity and cooperation among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

This will also help accelerate the implementation of the Hanoi Plan of Action and other documents signed at the sixth ASEAN summit, as well as agreements of the unofficial meeting between the Prime Ministers of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in Vientiane in October last year with a view to forming a triangle of development and combining regional cooperation and issues relating to the implementation of the East-West Corridor and Mekong Basin projects.  

Deputy PM Nguyen Manh Cam, and Somsavat Lengsavad attended the inauguration of the Laos-Vietnam Joint Venture Bank in Hanoi, and the Lao Deputy PM and delegation also paid a courtesy visit to Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. 

Both governments have paid special attention to developing agriculture, and Vietnam is willing to share its experiences in rice intensive farming, industrial crop growing, aquaculture, land reclamation for farm economy development, and production of plants and animals for export, said Prime Minister Phan Van Khai. 

He expressed delight at the development of Vietnam-Laos cooperative relations in diplomacy, agriculture, commerce, education and training, and said he was pleased that the Lao people have been able to meet their food demands improve their living conditions, and conduct peaceful business with their Vietnamese neighbors. 

The Lao Deputy PM thanked the Vietnamese Party and Government for their assistance in training, economic development, commerce, and finance. 
 

LAO-MYANMAR RELATIONSHIP 

Neighborly relations between Laos and Myanmar have developed smoothly since 1975, Lao Ambassador to Myanmar. He said that the two countries have exchanged delegations at various levels. In 1999 alone, Laos sent more than 20 delegations to Myanmar to promote further the relations of friendship and good neighborliness between the two countries. In the same year, more than 10 Myanmar delegations visited Laos, including the visit by Lieutenant General Khin Yun, First Secretary of the State Peace and Development Council.

Mr Ly Bounkham said the Lao-Myanmar relationship was marked by the 1977 visit to Laos by President Ne Win of Myanmar, which was two years after the establishment of the Lao PDR. After that, the two governments have often exchanged visits, for instance Mr Khamtay Siphandone's visit to Myanmar in 1992 when he was Prime Minister, and Mr. Nouhak Phoumsavanh's visit in 1995 when he was President of the Lao PDR. Mr Khamtay Siphandone also visited, Myanmar in 1997 after he become President of the Lao PDR, and then Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh was in Myanmar in 1998.

From the Myanmar side, Senior General Than Shwe, President of the State Peace and Development Council, also Prime Minister of Myanmar, made a visit to Laos in 1994.

In those visits, the two sides have signed 11 documents designed to expand and strengthen their bilateral relations and cooperation in many areas. Of the agreements, the most important are pertinent to the boundary demarcation between the two countries, the setting up of a joint commission for bilateral cooperation and a joint committee for cooperation along the common border, cooperation in agriculture, visa exemption for diplomatic and official passports, and cooperation between the national news agencies of the two countries.

The agreements now begin to produce good results for the relations between the two, countries. The boundary demarcation was completed without any problems over the 230 km common border in 1994. Cooperation in the fields of economy, culture and education has expanded. Dozens of Lao agricultural technicians went on study tours to Myanmar last year. A number of Lao Buddhist monks have received scholarships for study at the University of Buddhism and some Lao students are undertaking a professional study in making lacquer wares in Myanmar.

The government of Myanmar is sending experts to assist Laos in building a pilot agricultural development center with irrigation system at Laos's Ton Pheung border district. The center was scheduled for completion before this rainy season. Plans in the future are to build a road link and upgrade the existing border checkpoint between Muang Mom (Laos) and Vang Poong (Myanmar) to international level. Both will serve to promote trade and communication along the common border.
 
 

LAO-AMERICAN MIA REVIEW 

A consultation on accounting for American missing in action (MIA) in Laos during the Indochina War was held in Vientiane. 

The meeting reviewed and evaluated Lao-American joint operations and bilateral cooperation in the past six months, and considered plans for the first half of 2000.

Taking part in the meeting were, on the Lao side, the Foreign Ministry's Eulrope-America Affairs Department acting Director Southam Sakonnignom, with representatives of the Ministries of National Defense, Information and Culture, and the Interior.

The American group included US Charge d'Affaires a.i. Karen Stewart, and Brig. Gen. Harry Axson, Commander of the MIA Joint Task Force.
 
 

LAO-CAMBODIAN BOUNDARY DEMARCATION  

A geographical survey of the border between Laos and Cambodia will start in May this year, said a meeting of the Border Committees of the two countries held late last month in Phnom Penh.

The starting point of the survey will be at the western triple connection point of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, and will run to the eastern contact point of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

This meeting continued from the meeting in May last year, aiming put into action a memorandum of understanding signed by both sides.

The meeting, jointly chaired by the Border Committee Chairmen of Laos and Cambodia, agreed to assign technical sub-committees to meet, discuss, and propose a master plan for border survey and demarcation. The two sides will do their best to complete arrangements of supporting documentation and will hold another meeting in April.

The meeting participants included Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Phongsavath Boupha, who is also Lao-Cambodian Border Committee Chairman, and Cambodian Government Advisor Var Kim Hong, who is also Cambodian-Lao Border Committee Chairman.
 

LAOS, EU MEETING FOR AID PROJECTS 

The second tripartite meeting between the European Union, the Lao PDR government and EU-funded cooperation assistance projects in the Lao PDR, was held in Vientiane.

Following on from the success of last year's inaugural gathering, the parties discussed common issues of concern to strengthen the implementation and administration of the numerous EU-funded projects in Laos.

There were more than 40 participants, including the EU ambassador to Thailand, Lao ministers and deputy ministers, governors and vice governors of the northern provinces of Luang Namtha, Phongsaly, Luang Prabang, ministry departments heads, and EU-funded project managers. .

The tripartite meeting is an important event that allows for an open and frank exchange of views from all parties regarding the implementation and future direction of EU-funded projects in the Lao PDR. Through this forum the parties are able to iron out any difficulties projects may face so as to maximize their efficiency and ensure that recipient communities derive the utmost benefit.

The European Union is one of the largest donors of cooperation assistance to the Lao PDR, funding programs in areas such as rural development, health, the natural and urban environment, and demining. 

EU projects in Laos have totaled 110 million Ecu (US$ 121 million). The assistance goes mostly to integrated rural development in outlying areas, for wells, gravity-fed water facilities, water supply system, rural roads, irrigation, schools, dispensaries, dykes, agriculture, wild life conservation, forest protection, promotion of animal raising, veterinary and fisheries, health care, malaria control, prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases (STDa), and humanitarian assistance.
 

USA UXO DELEGATION VISITS

A delegation from the US visited the Lao PDR, led by Dr. James Shear, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance.

Dr Shear, visited the UXO Lao National Training Center for a briefing and display of detection and disposal techniques. The US supported training for the first three years of the UXO program.

Labor and Social Welfare Deputy Minister and UXO LAO Steering committee Chairman hosted discussions on program progress and future plans. Dr Schear also met with representatives from the UXO implementing partners of Mines Advisory Group,       Handicap International, Norwegian People's Aid, Gerbera, World Vision Australia, and the American education NGO, Consortium.

The US government continues to be a substantial contributor to the UXO LAO Programme, funding advanced explosive ordnance disposal training, truck purchase, and a feasibility study into reimbursable demining. 
 

LAO-AMERICAN INVESTMENT IN LAOS

A Laos-America cooperation contract for a Phousae Plantation and Animal Raising Project (PARP), Longsane district, Saysomboune Special Zone, was signed in Vientiane.         

The signatories were Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Office Head Khampheui Vannasopha and two Lao businessmen, Mr. Yoapangya (US resident) and Mr. Khamsone Lorchiacheu (Phousae resident). Also present were representatives of the Longsane district and of the Agriculture and Forest Ministry Livestock Department.

The PARP will be in the area of Houai Tad, Houai Sanad, to the south of the base of Phousae mountain, With a total area of 2,300 ha. PARP has been licensed by the Lao government for agricultural cultivation and animal raising, to familiarize local people with new technical equipment for agricultural production, to halt random forest-felling,(slash-and-bum), and provide direction within the Lao government's socioeconomic development plan. 

PARP will last for 15 years (2001-2015); the first 5 years will operate as a pilot scheme at a cost of US$ 300,000. If results are satisfactory, the contract duration will be extended.

LFNC will promote PARP as a development area under government law article 18 on foreign investment, and management promotion in the Lao PDR. 
 

CHINA GRANTS 14.7 MILLION YUAN 

Contracts for Chinese grant aid of 14.7 million yuan were signed  in Vientiane by China's Assistant Trade Minister He Xiao Wei with Information  and Culture Minister Sileua Bounkham, Agriculture and Forestry Deputy-Minister Sitaheng Ratsphon, and Lao- China Cooperation- Committee President Anh Inseng May. Also attending were Deputy- Prime Minister and Finance Bounyang Vorachit and high-ranking officials.

The Chinese government aid to the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry is worth around eight million yuan, including 70 water pumps, 25 transformers and spare parts, to, improve national agricultural and forestry production. Around 1.2 million yuan will be devoted to a two-year project under which five experts will train Lao officials in management, of the Natural Cultural Hall. Around 3.5 million yuan is allocated to a survey for a new hospital. 

During four-day visit, Minister He Xiao Wei and his delegation called on Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh, Deputy-Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, and Trade Minister Phoumy Thipphavone. They also met with members of the economic and cultural sectors, and visited Chinese project sites in Vientiane province and Vientiane city.

Trade between Laos and China has been steadily developing, especially in the border area between southern Chinese provinces and northern Laos provinces.

The Lao government licensed 70 construction and joint joint venture projects worth more than US$100 millions, including cement factories, national defense projects, export garment enterprises, pharmaceutical factories, mineral exploration projects, wood and processing projects, hotel and restaurant services.

Chinese loans and grants since 1992 have been worth more than 300 million yuan, used for hydropower, agricultural and livestock developments, and cement factories. China has granted more than 100 million yuan to build the National Culture Hall, and for water pumps, cool food warehouse, and help for victims of natural disasters, as well as annual scholarships for the education of 50 to 55 students and officials at graduate and post-graduate level.

Earlier this year, the Lao government submitted requests to the Chinese government for support of development projects in government priority projects including food production projects, forestry processing, market vegetable plantation and production, rice cultivation development, fruit, livestock, exploitation and processing of wood, bamboo and rattan, plantation and processing of coffee, cadamom, tea, tobacco, sugar, cotton, rubber, beeswax Khang and Yarn and local medicine.

Projects for mineral survey and exploitation include potassium, steel, iron, copper, gold and carbon. Construction material development projects include cement, steel bars, iron, pottery and electrical equipment, and for agriculture, requests for support were for water pumps, tractors, milling and harvesting machinery, natural and chemical fertilizers, pesticides, medicines and food for animals. 

The transport and communications projects considered important for international relations include the road linking Boten, Luang Namtha, and Houaysay with Thailand; Boten, Udomsay, and Mouangkhoua with Tai Chang Vietnam, and road number 8 from Borikhamsay province to Vietnam as a transit route to China. 

Consideration was also requested for projects to develop hydropower and solar power, and for the development of regional tourism.
 
 

LAO-JICA STUDY FOR SAVANNAKHET SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE 

Japan has decided to initiate a preliminary study for a special economic development zone along the Lao-Thai border in Savannakhet province.

The study, which came at the request of the Lao government, is planned to start in July 2000 and will be named the Study of the Special Economic Zone Development Plan in border area of Savannakhet province. 

The document on Scope of Work for the Study was signed in Vientiane between Japan international Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the State Planning Committee.

Laos officially requested Japan's support for the Study through the Vientiane office of Japan International Cooperation Agency in 1997.  The signing formulates the go 
ahead for a development plan of a Special Economic, Zone (SEZ) to act as a trigger for economic development in the central region of the country. The Study will include an institution and legal building plan for development and management of the zone, and a preliminary physical plan of the SEZ.  

The study is planned to start in July of this year and the cooperation will tentatively last for 8 months. This cooperation follows another Study on the Integrated Regional Development plan in Savannakhet and Khammouane regions, also supported by JICA.
 

TEACHING ENGLISH FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM

Over 23 English teachers from provinces and training colleges from February 22-27 took part in a refresher course in Vientiane for their English teaching skills in the new millennium.

The course was sponsored by Vientiane's English Language Resource Center, the Lao Education Ministry's Teacher Training Department, and the Republic of Korea's Kyongju University.

The course was conducted by Kyingju University's International Cooperation Committee Director Dr Larry Dwan Chong.

"Why do we need to renovate our concept of English teaching? New information technology era is rushing towards us, computer science is popular all over the world and the worldwide network is a technological challenge. So we need to look again at our concept of English teaching," said English Language Resource Center Director.  

The Director also said that, it was the first time that the Center had organized such a course for English teachers in the new techniques brought by Dr. Dwan Chong.

Dr Dwan Chong's technique's focus on reading, listening, watching visuals and speaking the English language. The English teachers are currently teaching English in the Training Colleges in Bankeuan, Pakse, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, and Khangkhai.
 
 

AUSTRALIA FUNDS PRIMARY SCHOOL IN LUANG PRABANG 

The Australian Government Community Activities Scheme, has granted funds US$15,500 to build a 6-classroom primary school building in Ban Hadgna, Pak Ou District Luang Prabang Province.

Hadgna village is a large community within Pak Ou district. The village has a primary school building in bad condition and must be repaired frequently. Over two hundred school children from this village and a nearby village study at this school.

As a result of the poor and unsafe school environment, many children left school. Over the past few years, the Community Activities Scheme has supported 5 projects in Luang Prabang including 3 gravity fed water systems, 1 primary school and 1 archaeological research project.

Presently, two primary school projects are being implemented in 2 districts of Luang Prabang including this project and another one, in Ban Nameuang, Nan district.

The project is for a six-classroom school building 39m x 8m x 4m with corrugated roofing sheet, fibro cement ceiling, plastered brick wall, concrete floor, hard wood doors, windows and roof frame. Five rooms will be used as classrooms and another will be used as a teachers' office. Local authorities and people will contribute their labor, locally available materials and other services to the project.

It is expected that the school will cater for over two hundred students to improve and widen the window of education opportunity for the young generation.

The new school environment will encourage the school children and teachers to be more actively involved in learning and teaching. 
 
 

ANTI-DRUG/UXO PROMOTION PROJECT FOR YOUTH 

A project using sports to publicize the dangers of UXO and drugs for Lao youth and young pioneers was approved at a conference held in Vang Vieng district Vientiane province.

The conference approved an action plan and Organization, which will be tested in two districts of Sekong province, three districts of Khammuan province, and two districts of the Saysomboune Special Zone. If further funds are available, the project will be extended to Bachieng and Paksong districts of Champassak province. The project will include team sports, and indoor and open-air activities.

Team sports will include football, rattan ball, table tennis, and badminton. The indoor exercise will include aerobics and dance, and the open-air activities will include camping, games and athletics.

The activities will be run by the Young Pioneers, the Physical Education Department of the Ministry of Education, the National University of Laos, the National Sports Committee, and the Red Cross Society.

The conference was held by the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union and Young Pioneers Board under the aegis of UNICEF and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). 
 
 

LAOS EXPECTS MORE THAN US$90 MILLION FROM TOURISM 

The Vice-President of the LAO National Tourism Authority said that the -Lao Government has a target of US$90.7 million from tourism this year. 

According to the municipality Trade and Tourism Department, this year tourism is growing strongly, and Vientiane municipality is expected to earn 500 billion kip.

The Vice-President also said that hotels and guest houses need to be expanded to meet the increase of tourists. Throughout the country there are only 7,000 rooms. The World Heritage city of Luang Prabang, visited by 80% of tourists coming to Laos, has only 500 rooms, while Vientiane has 2,500 rooms.

The increase in tourists is partly because of the direct daily flights between Luang Prabang and Bangkok and between Luang Prabang and Xienglai (Thailand) operated by Lao Aviation and Anger Air. Luang Prabang has only 11 hotels, including the 120-room Phousy hotel, and 67 guest houses, not expected to be enough for the approaching Lao New Year and the dedication ceremony for the new Prabang building to be held in April.

The Government has also funded improvement of tourist sites like the Hoiyang conservation forest and Vientiane's Victory Gate (Phatusay ).

Last year there were 350,800 tourists who came to Vientiane, which has 26 hotels with 1,378 rooms, 66 guest houses and resorts with 925 rooms, as well as 99 restaurants and 35 tourism sites. The Government approved 28 billion kip for Visit Laos Year.
 
 

STUNNING LAO CULTURAL HALL OPENS 

The country's new, landmark National Cultural Hall opened on March 17 with an official inauguration ceremony and -special performances by a troupe from China.

At opening ceremony, China's Assistant Minister of Trade He Xiao Wei handed over a key to the hall to Laos' Minister of Information and Culture Sileua Bounkham, Deputy Prime Minister and Minigter of Finance Bounyang Vorachit. 

A gift to Laos from the People's Republic of China, the long-awaited 64,700,000 yuan downtown hall was built in accordance with an accord of economic and technical cooperation between the Lao and the Chinese Governments.

China's Yunnan Company took 21 months to complete construction work, starting in June 1998 and finishing on March 1 of this year. Yunnan was responsible for the design and engineering in accordance with specifications of the Lao side. The Lao government contributed one billion kip for the clearing of the hall site and installation of utilities.  "This large and modern hall courtesy of the People's Republic of China is an important milestone for Lao-Chinese relations in general and for the cultural sector in particular," Minister of Information and Culture Sileua said in his speech.

Already, the four-story hall located in the heart of Vientiane has drawn rave reviews from the public, for its design that incorporates many Lao-style motifs. The towering gold-gilded facade is just one stunning example.

Officials said the hall has 8,364 square meters of floor space, which can be used for all manner of cultural activities. Central to this is the cavernous 1,500-seat amphitheater for the performing arts.

In addition, there are two medium size conference rooms, which are able to accommodate 500 people. There are also 41 small size rooms suitable for seminars and small group meetings.

Officials at the opening ceremony said they expect the hall to become a popular rendezvous point for residents of the city during national holidays and special events of cultural importance. Its spacious courtyard seems an inviting place to meet and enjoy the soothing sounds of the water fountains situated at the entrance.

Throughout the year, the National Culture Hall will display many cultural activities, such as dramas, musical concerts and dance. 
 
 

LAO EMBASSY CELEBRATED LAO NEW YEAR 2543

On April 22, 2000 at the Lao Embassy in Washington DC, over 800 guests from as far as Canada, California, Minnesota and other states in the United States joined the celebration of the Lao New Year 2543. In the morning, offering gifts to the monks were made at the Ambassador’s Residence. In the evening, the traditional Baci was held and following by a party. 

The guests were entertained with performances of traditional Lao dance, and music by the groups from Minnesota, Virginia, and Washington D.C. The famous singers from Laos such as Ko, Bounkheut, and Kidaophet Nouhuang “Noum Kosin” were also in the show. Joining the program, were also Lao-American singers, such as Phayvanh Mek-Aroun, and Thomy (Tennessee), Phet Phonsavanh (Philadelphia), and Cheun-Cheun (Thai singer). The guests and host then enjoyed dancing Lao traditional Lamvong. The group of musicians “Sinphet” (Philadelphia) led the entertainment. 

It is very important to note that the traditional Lao New Year celebration this year could not be successfully completed with out the cooperation and support from many friends, organizations and agencies. In this occasion, on be half of the organizer, the Lao Embassy would like to take this opportunity to express its sincere thanks and gratitude to all donors for their valuable contribution in creating necessary arrangements for the party, in order to preserve, and develop our good tradition and culture.