The order continued to explain that the FIMC has the responsibility to process all documents concerning foreign investment. It must accept all documents for consideration and approve as well as apply for all required registration forms from all organizations concerned. 

This does not allow investors or middlemen to directly connect with organizations concerned. They are no longer allowed to communicate with any middlemen or state employees who are not assigned by the FIMC. 

FIMC was also given the task of organizing meetings to invite state organizations and provincial authorities to consult and approve the projects. 

The Prime Minister emphasized that all ministers and presidents of equivalent organizations, provincial governors and the mayor of Vientiane had been told to quickly familiarize themselves with the stipulations of the order. 

During the implementation, if there are any problems, the organizations must report back to the FIMC so that it can amend any problems in an expeditious fashion. 

The FIMC also has to draft decrees and recommendations to indicate carefully the way that all parties involved must work. 

To make the order effective, on February 18 the Prime Minister's Office issued a decree to reappoint the FIMC's members. As a result of this order, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Bounyang Vorachith became the president of the committee while former Chairman of FIMC Mr. Bountiem Phissamai became the committee's vice president. Other members of the committee are Mrs. Khampheng Polsena, Vice Minister to Prime Minister's Office; Mr. Khamsouk Saiyasone, Vice Chief of the Office to Prime Minister's Office; and Mr. Bouathong Phounsalith, Chairman of the Domestic Investment Management Office. 

The FIMC contains the following three working offices: Office for Foreign Investment Management, Office for Domestic Investment Management and Office for Foreign Cooperation. The FIMC has the right to appoint roles and functions for each office.
 

FOREIGN MINISTER CONDEMNS AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA 

Somsavat Lengsavad, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that the Lao People’s Democratic considered the NATO air strikes on Yugoslavia to be a flagrant violation of the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Yugoslavia. The attack was also a violation of the charter of the United Nations and international Law, and a menace to peace and security in the Balkan region as well as Europe.

Therefore the Lao PDR voiced strong opposition to the use of force by NATO against Yugoslavia; calling for an immediate end to the blatant actions and a resumption of talks to resolve all conflicts by peaceful means, thus meeting the aspirations of mankind for peaceful co-existence.
 

  
NA PASSED FOUR LAWS, CONSIDERS ECONOMIC MEASURES

National Assembly's third session voted unanimously in favor of four new laws and considered several issues concerned with country's current and future issues before it was closed on April 3.

The twelve-day session, under the chairmanship of its president Samane Vignaketh, passed laws on the processing industry, Environment Protection, town planning, and highways. 

The session also agreed that the law on the Bank of the Lao PDR be studied and improved by the standing committee of the National Assembly in consultation with the government and parties concerned. 

The session received reports on the implementation of the socio- economic development plan for the first half of the 1998-1999 period, the adjustment of the public investment projects and the economic situation, inflation, and the government's measures for the resolution of economic problems.

Following these reports, the session expressed satisfaction with the active efforts and measures of the government in dealing with the current economic difficulties and achieving the targets of the socio- economic development plan for the 1998-1999 period. 

One notable achievement was the output of the rainy season rice crop, amounting to 1.675 million tons of paddy rice. The total of rice-growing area in the dry season was increased to 87,006 ha. The movement of building model families in production and the commodity production experienced satisfactory growth. The industrial, communications and transport sectors continued to grow. 

However, the session noted that there were still economic difficulties, the rise in price of goods, the inflation rate, and the strong fluctuations still continued and were not under control. These phenomena impacted on the implementation of the 1998-1999 plan for socio-economic development as well as on the living conditions of ethnic people.

The National Assembly also called for the entire population to promote the traditions of patriotism, consolidate national unity, promote thriftiness, and unite all efforts for the implementation of the socio-economic development plan for the 1998-1999 period and the 1995-2000 five-year state plan. The people were also urged to ensure national stability and security.
 

  
LAO PRIME MINISTER VISITED THAILAND 

The high-level delegation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic led by Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh returned home ending a three-day official visit to Thailand. 

During the visit, the two countries reached three agreements on visa exemption for holders of official passports, extradition, and land transportation. 

Held at the Government House, the signing of the agreements was witnessed by Lao Prime Minister Mr. Sisavath Keobounphanh, and Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai of Thailand. The first and the second agreements were signed by foreign ministers of the two countries while the third one was signed by ministers of communication. 

The Lao delegation and the host delegation led by the two Prime ministers held a formal meeting at the Government House. 

On March 5, Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh paid a courtesy visit to Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Thailand. 
 The Lao delegation, on the second day of the visit, toured companies in the CP Group, which invests in agriculture, and the project under the patronage of His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej of Thailand, situated in the Chitrlada Palace. 

On the last day, the Lao delegation left Bangkok on a special plane provided by the Thai Royal Air Force for Khon Kaen province, northeastern Thailand. The trip took the delegation to Khon Kaen University and to a sugar mill. The delegation headed for Nong Khai province to cross the Mekong River for home. 

The outcome of the visit was announced by Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, at a press conference held in Vientiane on March 8. 

According to the deputy prime minister, during the course of the three-day visit to Thailand, the two sides held meetings in two different forms: the particular meeting between the prime ministers of the two countries, and the meeting of the full-fledged delegations. 

During the meeting, the Lao Prime Minister pointed out that his visit to Thailand took place at the end of the 20th century, when the world was about to enter the 21st century. The Lao Prime Minister expressed his hopes that the 21st century would be a century of the best relationship. Any recurrences of bad things should be avoided. The two countries would ensure secure ties, stability, and bring genuine benefits to the peoples of both countries. In order to achieve these goals, the Lao Prime Minister put forward a number of proposals. 

One of these was on the issue of border survey and demarcation. Until now, the demarcation has been about 50 per cent completed. The Lao Prime Minister asked for the completion of land demarcation by the year 2000 as agreed, and water demarcation by the year 2003. Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai agreed that the demarcation should be finished by the agreed time. 

Concerning the ill will of elements along the common border between the two countries, the Lao Prime Minister said that they were reactionaries who had committed crimes against Lao people. Following the overthrow, these people had fled the country and have been abroad. Now some of these people have returned and made use of Thai territory as a springboard to stir unrest in Laos. Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh called on Thailand not to allow these people to remain on Thai soil, as stipulated in the 1979 communiqué. In this matter, Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai affirmed that Thailand would not give support to these people. 

The Lao Prime Minister said that the Mekong Patrol Unit, known as Nor Por Khor, was in-need. It was established during the Indochina War, and that war ended long ago. Now the Lao People's Democratic Republic has become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). "Against whom will the Unit fight?" said Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, who quoted Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh. "On the other hand, Thailand is facing a budgetary crisis. Why should Thailand waste money on this? It should stop now. As for Laos, the Lao naval force ended its operations more than 10 years ago," continued the Lao Foreign Minister. 

Mr. Chuan Leekpai accepted that the matter should be given further consideration, since the Mekong Patrol Unit has been given new tasks. It is currently involved in narcotic and smuggling suppression, and rescue operations along the Mekong River. If it were deemed not needed, and if its existence could cause misunderstandings to a friendly country, it could probably be revoked, said the Thai Prime Minister. 

Concerning trade, the Lao Prime Minister stressed that Thailand was pursuing measures to block agricultural goods from Laos to Thailand, while Thailand did not block goods from Thailand to Laos. All sorts of goods can be exported to Laos. He asked whether the pursuance of such a policy were right "Lao goods should be let into Thailand," urged the Lao Prime Minister. He said that Lao goods are also needed in Thailand but because of the ban, Thai individuals bring them in. Thus, it becomes smuggling. This implies that the Thai government encourages smuggling. This should be annulled, urged the Lao Prime Minister The Thai Prime Minister accepted that the matter ought to be placed under consideration. 

In the long run, the Lao Prime Minister suggested that the two countries formulate a master plan, and co-operate in agriculture, processing industries, energy, communication, telecommunications, and investment. 

Prime Minister Chuan of Thailand also showed interest in buying water from Se Bang-hieng River in central Laos for development activities in the Nam Moun River area, a matter on which the Thai side has made a study. The Lao Prime Minister accepted the matter for further study. 

In the area of electricity, according to a contract signed between the two countries, by 2006 Thailand will buy 3,000 megawatts of electricity from Laos. During the meeting, Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh urged the Thai side to observe the contract. If there were any change, this would cause problems for the Lao side, because following the signing of the contract, the Lao government had signed a contract with investors for the construction of hydropower stations. 

Prime Minister Chuan asked Laos to accept the return of Hmong people of Lao origin. In this respect, Laos was pleased to take back the Hmong people, who volunteered to return home, said the Lao Prime Minister. 

Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh invited the Thai Prime Minister to pay official visit to the Lao PDR. Mr. Chuan Leekpai accepted the invitation, saying that he expected the visit would take place at the end of this year.
 

  
SECRETARY I OF MYANMAR VISITED LAOS 

Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, Secretary I of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar arrived in Vientiane on an official visit to the Lao PDR. 

The visit took place after the delegations of the joint commissions for cooperation between the two countries held their fourth meeting in Vientiane from March 19-20. 

The Secretary I attended a bilateral meeting at the Prime Minister's Office, called on Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh, and then President Khamtay Siphandone. 

After these meetings, the Myanmar leader visited cultural sites, Vat Prakeo, the emerald Buddha shrine, That Luang, a sacred place in Vientiane, and Vat Ammone, a temple where a Myanmar-styled prayer hall was built as a gift for Laos from Myanmar. 

Myanmar leader visited Lak Sao, a well-known new development area in central Laos, and visited Nam Theun-Hinboun Dam and then come back to Vientiane. 
 

  
LAO AND MYANMAR JC FOR BILATERAL COOPERATION MEET 

The 4th meeting of the Lao-Myanmar, Myanmar-Lao Joint Commission (JC) for Bilateral Cooperation was held in Vientiane. 

Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad. Vice Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs, headed the Lao delegation for the talks with the Myanmar delegation. Which was led by Foreign Minister U Win Aung. 

The JC 4th meeting discussed more effective ways to improve friendly relations and all round cooperation between the Lao PDR and the Union of Myanmar, as the two nations move their relationship towards the new millennium. 

In his opening speech addressing the JC 4th meeting, Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad pointed out that cooperation in the various domains between Laos and Myanmar had achieved a new step of enhancement. 

This was especially so in the matter of common boundaries, for the border committee at central and local level of the two sides had met and agreed to jointly inspect the border markers in April, said Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad. 

Concerning agricultural matters, technicians from concerned ministries of both sides had a fruitful meeting. Myanmar had sent experts to Laos to study a project to build an agricultural pilot center in Bokeo province, and the two sides agreed to set up the construction site, said the Lao Foreign Minister. 

In educational affairs, Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad said that the education ministries of the two countries had already signed a memorandum on co-operation. 

Concerning drug suppression and control, the Lao Foreign Minister mentioned that the two sides had signed an agreement on preventing the trafficking of drug and psychotropic substances, and controlling banned chemical substances. Since the JC 3rd meeting, held in Yangon in August 1997, cooperation between the two countries had been gradually developing further.
 

LAOS WAS ELECTED AS A CHAIRMAN OF THE LANDLOCKED COUNTRY 

The group of landlocked developing countries has elected the Lao PDR as their head for the next two years (1999-2000). The election was made at a meeting held at the headquarters of the United Nations (UN). The meeting was presided over by the Mongolian ambassador to the UN, who was previously the head of the group. 

Representatives from thirty landlocked developing countries elected Mr. Alounkeo Kittikhoun, Ambassador of the Lao PDR to the United Nations as their chairman. 

The Lao PDR is the third country to hold this position after Afghanistan and Mongolia. 

As the president of the group, Mr. Alounkeo will represent the group in proposing resolutions to any international conferences, which consider issues facing the group. For this purpose, the Lao PDR has to contact transit countries and donor countries to discuss the cooperation framework for seeking solutions to the issues. 

The group of landlocked developing countries was established in 1995 and has its organization in New York. It has the duty to follow international meetings that consider issues concerning landlocked countries. The group now has thirty countries as members.
 

  
LAO EMBASSY CELEBRATED LAO NEW YEAR 2542

On April 24,1999 at the Lao embassy in Washington D.C. over 600 guests from as far as Canada, California and other states in the United States joined the celebration of the Lao New Year 2542.  In the morning, offerings were made at the Ambassador's Residence, and prayers were chanted by the monks. 

In the evening, the traditional baci was held and following by a party. The party was enjoyable. The guests were entertained with performances of traditional Lao dance by the group of pretty amateurish dancer from Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington D.C. The famous singers from Laos such as Phouveng Vadthalisack, Athit Kitsiri were also in the show. Joining the program, were also Lao American singers, such as Phayvanh Mek-Aroun, and Thomy (Tennessee), Phone Phoumithone (Virginia). The guests and host then enjoyed dancing Lao traditional Lamvong. The musicians Susiwong and Sisouvankham Douangphrachanh led the entertainment. 

The Lao New Year was organized by the Lao embassy in Washington D.C. It is 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 traditional and culture.
 

  
NAM SAD IRRIGATION-HYDROPOWER STATION TO BE COMPLETED 

The construction project of Nam Sad irrigation and hydropower station in Viengthong district, Huaphan province, is now 97 percent achieved. 

The construction project of Nam Sad irrigation and hydropower station is one of the three construction projects, under the grant of the Lao-American Integrated Rural Development Joint Project. 

The project is aimed at improving the living conditions of ethnic people in the project area in the districts of Viengthong and Huameuang with an aim to terminate slash and burn practices and opium cultivation, and turn to other substitute crops. 

The cost of the project of Nam Sad irrigation-hydropower station amounts to US$ 1 .8 million, of which US$ 1,003,000 is being spent on the construction of an irrigation system. 

The construction commenced in early January 1998. Upon completion, the facility will be able to irrigate 340 hectares of rice fields in the rainy season and 85 hectares in the dry season. 

The station will also be able to generate 250 kW of electricity for supply to 13 villages. This project is also estimated to reduce the slash and burn practices by 255 hectares per year.
 

  
NATIONAL ROUTE 2A TO BE COMPLETED 

Government officials gave official blessing to the completion of a major road artery for the country. The Director of the Communications Department within the Ministry of Communications, Transport, Post and Construction, signed a contract to rehabilitate and improve the road between Paklay and Kenthao, Sayabury province. The road will link Luang Prabang and Thailand, ending a project that had been on going since 1986. 

The contract, worth over US$ 3 million, was awarded to the Road 13 South and Pha Phao Construction Companies after bidding and selection processes. Ninety percent of the funding comes from the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), who have backed the road link between the northern provinces and the Thai border from the beginning of the project. The access to markets and services opened by the road has had immediate positive impact in northern Laos. Completing the road link will benefit not only the Paklay/Kenthao district, but also communities throughout the provinces of Sayaboury and Luang Prabang. 

Certainly, the people of Kenthao district will have much easier access to export markets in Thailand for their agriculture products. Kenthao is the biggest cotton-producing area in the Lao PDR. Getting to public services such as schools and hospitals has become possible for many people in Sayaboury only since the last section of Road 2A, from Sayaboury town to Paklay was constructed. In addition, economic activity has increased in the province, with people producing goods for the new markets opened up by the road. 

Construction of the last section, 63km of all weather gravel road, began in March and should finish in August 2001. 

The government is providing 10 per cent of the total cost and logging firms, whose heavy trucks place a great burden on roads, are expected to contribute to the maintenance of the road.
 

ELECTRICITE DU LAOS' ANNUAL REVIEW 

Twenty-three billion kip is the estimated profit Electricité du Laos (EDL) expects to achieve for the 1999 fiscal year, the director of EDL announced at a meeting in Vientiane. 

The one-day meeting reviewed EDL's power production and service activities over the past year and an action plan from now to the year 2000 was also formulated. 

The director of EDL, reported that the generation of the electricity in 1998 declined 22.2 per cent compared with 1997. According to the summary report, the reduction in power generation was caused by severe drought, creating a shortage of water in the dams, which ultimately affected exports. In 1998 water capacity in the dams only reached 50-60 per cent. 

During the meeting the director of EDL also reviewed statistical data for 1998. The total output of power generated in 1998 was 947,777,386 kWh. Exports totaled about 405,197,069 kWh, or equivalent to US $15,645,364. Domestic distribution equaled 513,272,507 kWh and revenues reached 24 billion kip. 

Although EDL alone is capable of producing more than 900 million kWh of electricity per year, it is nevertheless obliged to import electricity from abroad. In 1998, imported electricity totaled about 142,063,195 kWh, a 40 per cent increase from 1997. 

EDL now employs 3,107 staff and operates four dams to generate electricity, with a 210 Mw capacity. 

In addition, it has a joint venture project with the Theun Hinboun Hydropower Project, which produced 1,048.39 kWh of electricity for 1998, and the Houey Ho hydropower project, which is currently under construction. Expected completion for this project is June of this year. 

EDL is also involved in the construction of the Nam Theun 2 dam, which is currently in negotiations with the buyer and is trying to secure financing for the dam's construction. Moreover EDL is also concerned with electricity extension projects to the rural areas for agricultural purposes. 

The meeting also discussed the plan for 1999. EDL expects to produce about 984,789,000 kWh of electricity in 1999, and contemplates imports to total 164,360,000 kWh. Exports are estimated to reach 417,729,000 kWh or US $15,960,000, an increase of three per cent compared with last year. Domestic sales are anticipated to reach 575,827 kWh, a 13 per cent increase compared with 1998. 

It was expected that total revenue for EDL would be about 256.7 billion kip. The breakdown being 73.5 billion kip from domestic sales and around 71.8 billion kip through exports. It was also anticipated a 42.5 per cent increase in these estimates because of the ever increasing exchange rate. 
 Expected payments total 233.5 billion and profits are expected to reach 23.1 billion kip.
 

FROM LAOS TO THE VIETNAMESE COAST 

Laos will soon have another access route to the coast of Vietnam, made possible through a grant aid from the government of Japan, which has agreed to help with the construction of Road No 9, the main artery from Savannakhet province to the Lao-Vietnamese border. 

The 130 km long project was initiated when the minutes of discussions on the Basic Design Study on the improvement of the road were signed on February 23, between the government of Laos and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). 

The JICA Basic Study team visited the Lao PDR to conduct the Basic Design Study on the Project for Improvement of National Road No 9. 

The study team expects to complete the final report on the basic study around the end of May. 

Through discussions with the Ministry of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction, the government of the Lao PDR has understood the system of Japan's grant aid, which was explained by the study team. The government of Laos also agreed to take some necessary measures to make implementation of the project run more smoothly. 

The construction area for this project includes the road between Xeno and Muang Phalan and the road from Muang Phalan to the Lao-Vietnamese border. Japan's Grant Aid Project for the Improvement of Road No 9 is expected to contribute enormously to the development of the region, especially the development of the agricultural and stock raising industry. 
 

BOOSTING AGRICULTURE IN BORIKHAMSAY 

To decrease imports and ease the economic difficulties within each province, Borikhamsay authorities have allowed the Rural Development Enterprise of Borikhamsay to establish an integrated farm and animal feed factory at Songkhone Namsanh village.

The two main works of this enterprise are planting oranges and producing animal feed. The farm is spread over an area of more than 700 hectares.

The animal feed factory is a joint-venture investment project with a Vietnamese investor, with a budget of 950 million kip.

The factory, once completed expects to be able to produce 5 tons of animal feed per day.

The integrated farm started operating last November. To date, 65% of the provincial plan has been carried out.
 

  
UNDCP SUPPORTS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN LUANG NAMTHA

The United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) has provided a grant of US$ 1,000,100 over two years to reduce opium production and consumption in Long district, Luang Namtha province. The Lao government will provide the equivalent of US$ 77,000 in kind for the project.

The project is using participatory community development to reduce opium poppy production and consumption among ethnic minorities in the highland communities of Luang Namtha. It had effects in agriculture, health, education, environmental management, and income generation and drug demand reduction. It includes detoxification and rehabilitation of drug addicts. The Community-Based Drug Abuse Control (CB-DAC) approach has already yielded impressive results in the neighboring Bokeo province, where the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and UNDCP have cooperated since 1995. The first phase of the project included initial work in Luang Namtha. After the success of the project in Bokeo, where the area under cultivation has been reduced by 45% since 1996, the emphasis has now shifted to Luang Namtha.

Luang Namtha province is currently the third largest producer of opium poppy in Laos after Phongsaly and Oudomsay. It has over 3,500 ha in poppy production, mostly cultivated by ethnic minorities in the highlands. According to the National Opium Survey 1998, the pre-project area under opium cultivation in Luang Namtha has increased by 64% since 1996. The Luang Namtha project is included in the master plan for drug control in the Lao PDR.

Donation to the UNDCP from the government of Norway has made it possible for the UNDCP to extend this grant to the Lao PDR.
 

  
JAPAN SUPPORTS DEVELOPMENT IN LAOS

Japanese support to the development in Laos was again recognized during the signing ceremony of the Minutes of Discussion for the Japanese Project-Type Technical Cooperation on Electric Power Standard Establishment in Vientiane in April.

This Minutes will assist the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft (MIH) to establish the Electric Power Technical Standard, which will benefit the Lao government in the field of macro-management in the power sector and help monitor all the electric power activities in the Lao PDR. The project starts in April 1999 and it was expected to complete in April 2001. The project will be carried out by the Department of Electricity, MIH and Japanese international Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The project will also provide a good opportunity for Lao engineers to learn and upgrade their skills working on such a project.
 

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN SARAVAN

Saravan province is accelerating projects of infrastructure development, particularly road and bridge construction to improve links between provincial districts, and between district villages. 

In Ta-oi district, this southern province is building a bridge across the Se Lanong River with government funding. This is a Bailey bridge, supported by six piers, 4.5 meters wide and 115 meters long. The construction of this top-level bridge of this southern province will be completed in the year 2000.

In Se Bangfay district a number of roads have been renovated for access to villages. In the renovation, the Japanese Obayashi Corporation has provided help for the work, with the contribution of labor from local villagers.
 

  
PHONGSALY, YUNNAN STRENGTHEN COOPERATION 

Phongsaly province of the Lao PDR and Yunnan of the People's Republic of China have reached agreement on cooperation in agricultural development for this year. The co-operation will focus on the continuation of the cultivation of sugar cane and tea, and the further supply of new seed canes to Phongsaly, according to the signed agreement. 

The agreement between the two provinces was reached during an official cordial visit to Phongsaly province by a delegation of the top authorities of Yunnan province, at the invitation of the Governor of this Laos' northernmost province. 

During the visit, the Chinese delegation held talks to exchange lessons learned and review the implementation of the co-operation agreement over the past year. 

The two sides also reached agreement on co-operation in politics, economics, education, the socio-cultural field, and national defense and security along the border between the two adjacent provinces.
 

  
JOINT-VENTURE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN BOLIKHAMSAY AND HANOI 

Bolikhamsay province of Laos has agreed to cooperate in more joint ventures in the sectors of trade, services and irrigation with Hanoi. The joint venture projects include building a new supermarket, a small cement factory, a garment factory, a noodle factory as well as an irrigation system in Bolikhamsay province. 

Hanoi's Electricity and Agriculture institute is also interested in co-operating with Bolikhamsay province to develop rural areas, build an animal feed factory, as well as a rattan processing factory.
 

  
MIA FINDINGS IN SAVANNAKHET AND SARAVAN 

Four sites in Savannakhet and Saravan provinces have revealed remains from the soldiers Missing in Action (MIA) during the Vietnam war, when Laos was exposed to extraordinary amounts of aerial bombing. 

Co-operation efforts between Lao and American research teams, in an area where a fighter plane allegedly fell have exposed the remains of the plane as well as human bones. 

This is the second exploration mission for Americans soldiers Missing in Action for the 1998-1999 period. 

Three sites in Savannakhet province and one site in Saravan province have revealed remains. The findings will be taken to the United States for analysis.
 

  
FRENCH PALM-LEAF MANUSCRIPT ASSISTANCE

France has agreed to extend its three-year assistance for the Lao Palm Leaf Manuscript Project. A signing ceremony for the Project for the Research, Study, and Publication of Palm Manuscripts was signed at the Ministry of information and Culture.

The document singed was based on the government's policy on the conservation and dissemination of priceless national heritage, and on bilateral scientific, technical and cultural cooperation between Laos and France. The documents came into effect at the date of signing.
 

ASSOCIATION OF LAO MEDICAL DOCTORS IN FRANCE GIVES AID TO MAHOSOT

The Association of Lao medical doctors in France recently handed over medical equipment worth more than US$ 88,000 to Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane.

The medical equipment was presented to Dr. Chanphong Thammavong, director of Mahosot Hospital, by Dr. Anin Sackpaseuth, president of the association, who was in Vientiane to assist the hospital in upgrading the professional skills of local medical staffs
 

  
LAO HANDICRAFT PROMOTION 

A handicraft fair displaying traditional Lao craftsmanship from throughout the country was held at the Lao Women's Union (LWU), in Vientiane. 

The fair was held to mark International Women's Day (March 8), and Visit Laos Year 1999-2000. 

Taking part in the opening ceremony were the president of the LWU; UNDP Resident Representative to Laos; and Japanese Ambassador to Laos. Also present at the event were ministers and deputy ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, and presidents of the LWU branches from 18 provinces, totaling over 400. 

The Lao handicraft items at the fair held by the LWU in collaboration with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNDFW), the fair was supported by the government of Japan.
 

  
LAO OFFICIALS COMPLETE SECURITY STUDIES ABROAD 

Three Lao government officials, from the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior, were recognized April 8,1999 for completion of the 12-week College of Security Studies course at the Hawaii-based Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. The president of the Asia-Pacific Center presented the three officials with a diploma for their participation in the January 19 - April 8 courses.  The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) is a regional study, research and conference center, actively contributing to stability and security in the region. It is designed to enhance cooperation and build relationships through mutual understanding and study of comprehensive security issues among military and civilian representatives of the US and other Asia-Pacific nations. 

The Lao officials were three of the 44 senior military and civilian representatives representing 22 countries in the College of Security Studies course. The three-phase curriculum focuses on defining the roles and missions of security forces, exploring regional security issues, historical and contemporary, and identifying indicators of potential security concerns in the region. 

To date, the APCSS has conducted seven Executive Courses, with 257 participants from 35 countries.
 

  
FUTURE ARCHITECTS AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS

Fifty financially disadvantaged students of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture of the National University of Laos recently received scholarships from the Hasebe Asian Scholarship Foundation to help fund their studies at the school.

With the bursary, each student received an allowance of US$ 15 per month for a period of two years. Half of the fund is in the form of cash and half is for educational supplies and equipment.

The chairman of the Foundation said that the main purpose of these awards is to sum young scholars who unfortunately haven't much money to continue their education. 

The Hasebe Asian Scholarship Foundation donates financial support to poor students in the region. In the previous year, the foundation donated scholarship awards to young people in Cambodia, Vietnam Myanmar, Mongolia and Laos.

In the past, winners in Laos were exclusively students from the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture however in the future the chairman said it would donate scholarships to students at other universities in the Lao PDR.
 

  
TOURISM BRINGS TOP DOLLAR

Tourism was the country's highest revenue earner last year, reaching US$79.9 million. It surpassed the former top money earning gemstone industry, according to a report from National Tourism Authority (NTA).
The report showed that more than 500,000 tourists visited Laos last year, making tourism the number one gross domestic product, followed by textiles US$ 76.5 million and electricity export US$ 49.6 million, respectively.

Tourism was ranked as the fourth highest revenue earner in 1995 and 1996. It lagged behind textiles, wood products and gemstones, but last year, saw Laos' main exports suffer a decline, with tourism experiencing a welcome boost.

This year, NTA estimates an influx of about one million visitors and believes that tourism will remain at the number one spot.

Seeing the economic potential of tourism business, the government of the Lao PDR represented by the NTA is now focused towards promoting tourism amongst all business sectors.

As part of this new tourist focus, the NTA invited World tourism Organization expert to shed some light on how to continue to encourage foreign visitors. During the meeting they discussed about the value of implementing adequate tourism development programs in the Lao PDR.